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
• functioning
• untiring
• thriving
• vigorous
• tireless
• functional
• flourishing
• engrossed
• operative
• going
• intent
• focussed
• happening
• swamped
• astir
• 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

Get inspired by a small group of industrious, tenacious, and daring men and women who were born into slavery and broke new ground to attain the highest levels of financial success. —Essence, 7 Aug. 2025

On Wednesday, police identified the deceased as Nolan, an industrious entrepreneur. —Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2025

No! Indiscriminate mass deportation of our law abiding, industrious, dutiful neighbors only recently arrived? —Timothy Cardinal Dolan, New York Daily News, 2 July 2025

Pachuca never mustered enough quality around the industrious Salomon Rondon to truly threaten Yassine Bounou, even as Al Hilal’s passivity flirted with danger. —Liam Twomey, New York Times, 27 June 2025