Synonyms of industrious

industrious

adjective

in-ˈdə-strē-əs 

as in diligent

involved in often constant activity

an industrious worker who never seems to sleep

Synonyms & Similar Words

• diligent
• engaged
• busy
• employed
• active
• occupied
• assiduous
• working
• preoccupied
• sedulous
• laborious
• bustling
• immersed
• hardworking
• hopping
• tied-up
• lively
• vibrant
• buzzing
• energetic
• absorbed
• concentrating
• animated
• focused
• humming
• operational
• operating
• indefatigable
• untiring
• functioning
• thriving
• vigorous
• tireless
• functional
• flourishing
• engrossed
• operative
• going
• intent
• happening
• astir
• swamped
• knee-deep
• running
• living
• alive

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unemployed
• idle
• inactive
• unoccupied
• free
• latent
• sleepy
• passive
• quiescent
• dormant
• lifeless
• unbusy
• inert
• slow
• asleep
• dull
• dead
• inoperative
• nonoperating

Synonym Chooser

How is the word industrious different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of industrious are assiduous, busy, diligent, and sedulous. While all these words mean "actively engaged or occupied," industrious implies characteristic or habitual devotion to work.

industrious employees

When could assiduous be used to replace industrious?

In some situations, the words assiduous and industrious are roughly equivalent. However, assiduous stresses careful and unremitting application.

assiduous practice

When is busy a more appropriate choice than industrious?

While the synonyms busy and industrious are close in meaning, busy chiefly stresses activity as opposed to idleness or leisure.

too busy to spend time with the children

When can diligent be used instead of industrious?

Although the words diligent and industrious have much in common, diligent suggests earnest application to some specific object or pursuit.

very diligent in her pursuit of a degree

When would sedulous be a good substitute for industrious?

The words sedulous and industrious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sedulous implies painstaking and persevering application.

a sedulous investigation of the murder

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of industrious

Gardeners know pollinators are essential, especially those industrious bees buzzing tirelessly in and out of squash blossoms and trumpet vines. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025

Near the burial, archaeologists also found Roman pottery kilns that showed the domestic and industrious side of Roman Leicester, according to the release. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025

Negahban will play Khasekhemre, the Pharaoh, an industrious and cautious ruler of Egypt, who served as Pharaoh under the name Neferhotep I. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025

Bowyer describes himself as having grown up being guided by an industrious work ethic and a talent for cutting corners, a kid entranced by the material excess endemic to the region but out of his reach. —David Amsden, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025