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 Enter a band of cheerful, industrious elves who work through the night, quietly finishing his designs. Dan Rockmore, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2025 But first, and with no clear reason, a couple of alien creatures — blue blobs that mimic human speech — also pop their smiley faces into Billy’s industrious fund chasing. Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 8 Aug. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for industrious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for industrious
Adjective
  • Daria watched their diligent ascent while Andrés studied the map on his phone.
    Catherine Lacey, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
  • The Hunt After years of diligent saving, a longtime renter with a $300,000 budget weighed whether to take his parents’ advice and return to his childhood building in Elmhurst, or branch out.
    Dan Levin, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Employees stay engaged longer, teams navigate setbacks smoothly and leaders make stronger decisions under pressure.
    Elan Gepner-Dales, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The couple became engaged in August.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Perfect for both busy workdays and evenings out, the versatile top is easy to pair with lightwash jeans and a belt, or layered beautifully under blazers and cardigans.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Oct. 2025
  • For less hustle and bustle, busiest avoid traveling Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday.
    Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 17 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Industrious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/industrious. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on industrious

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