INDUSTRIOUS Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

industrious

adjective

in-ˈdə-strē-əs

Definition of industrious next

as in diligent

involved in often constant activity an industrious worker who never seems to sleep

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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of industrious Otto Rehhagel engineered four industrious victories against hosts Portugal (in both the group stage and the semis), France and the Czech Republic, with goals from corners winning them their semi-final and the final by 1-0 scorelines. —

Tim Spiers, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026 Today brings preliminary matches for women’s ice hockey, qualification runs for men’s big-air snowboarding, and, of course, more curling, which is the only sport industrious enough to have events every day through the Olympics. —

The Editors, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2026 Add Giannis Antetokounmpo, and then having a group of hard-working, persistent, industrious players that succeed in the shadows is fine. —

Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026 Since premiering Yellowstone in 2018, Sheridan has become one of the most industrious and successful showrunners in Hollywood. —

Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for industrious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for industrious

Adjective

There’s a lot of work that goes into this, a lot of long, diligent hours.

— Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
However, be diligent because mint spreads rapidly.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2026