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 Mir is more ambitious and industrious, having molded himself into the ideal successor to his father’s corporate leadership. Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Mar. 2025 Now that someone is finally acting, Democrats are pretending the bureaucracy is as industrious and virtuous as Santa’s Workshop and any dollar that gets cut means another kiddie won’t have a Christmas. Nolan Finley, Twin Cities, 4 Mar. 2025 Turn to the gatefold to view the ranking of Hong Kong’s 50 Richest, collated by an industrious team led by wealth editor Jane Ho. Naazneen Karmali, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025 Both were industrious strivers at work and strict disciplinarians at home. Danielle Amir Jackson, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for industrious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for industrious
Adjective
  • Nathan Hochman told the court Friday, thanking his prosecutors and the diligent work of Duran’s defense team.
    Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The film is still set to premiere next month, now an unintended memorial for a diligent journalist and writer.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • They were focused and engaged, pushing all-in on forechecks and backchecks right from the opening puck drop.
    James Mirtle, New York Times, 17 May 2025
  • Foote eventually got engaged to her now-husband, Kristofer Verduzco.
    Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • Topline Newark Liberty International Airport experienced a lengthy air traffic control outage Sunday morning, shortly before Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the airport should scale back its operations amid air traffic control issues at the busy New Jersey airport.
    Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
  • Between the award show appearances, several hit television shows, and red carpet events, the couple remains busy but grounded in their purpose for their growing family.
    Dominique Fluker, Essence, 11 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on industrious

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