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

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 In one memorable scene, the industrious little girl wanders out of a laundromat while Lu is off looking for more dough, finding her way into an open house for a multimillion dollar brownstone nearby. Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2025 Together with ticks, these industrious rodents help spread a disease that affects hundreds of thousands every year. Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025 Today, this San Francisco staple is known as the birthplace of Irish coffee in the U.S. and continues to boast the same delicious recipe made by industrious bartenders in a charming old-timey setting. Nadia Lopez, Axios, 14 Mar. 2025 Playing out of position at right-back, and ably supported by industrious Jesper Lindstrom — who, out of possession, often dropped back into the defence to make a five-strong line — O’Brien showed flashes of the promise that persuaded the club to sign him for £17million ($21.6m). Greg O'Keeffe, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for industrious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for industrious
Adjective
  • Clark said locally, at San Dimas’ Via Verde Country Club and Pomona’s Mountain Meadows Golf Course, Spaun is remembered as a diligent kid who put in a lot of time working on his game.
    Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 16 June 2025
  • The only way to avoid False Dividend Stocks is with diligent fundamental research on cash flows.
    David Trainer, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Adjective
  • His envoy Steve Witkoff remains engaged on the issue.
    Niall Stanage, The Hill, 21 June 2025
  • Employees who see their input shaping real change are far more likely to remain engaged and loyal.
    Pete First, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • He's got a busy schedule ahead, starring in season 2 of Peacock's Twisted Metal and Alex Winter's upcoming Adulthood.
    EW.com, EW.com, 28 June 2025
  • Meanwhile, Lucas was busy writing his own take on Episodes VII, VIII, and IX, before ultimately deciding to hand off his empire to the House of Mouse.
    Daryl Baxter, Space.com, 28 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Industrious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/industrious. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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