Synonyms of industry

industry

noun

ˈin-(ˌ)də-strē 

as in effort

attentive and persistent effort

he isn't the smartest kid in class, but he gets the best grades by determined industry

Synonyms & Similar Words

• effort
• diligence
• industriousness
• application
• persistence
• assiduity
• assiduousness
• attention
• concentration
• effortfulness
• attentiveness
• sedulity
• care
• sedulousness
• tenacity
• perseverance
• doggedness
• pains
• painstaking
• trouble
• bother
• tirelessness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• negligence
• carelessness
• idleness
• laziness
• slackness
• indolence

Synonym Chooser

How is the word industry distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of industry are business, commerce, trade, and traffic. While all these words mean "activity concerned with the supplying and distribution of commodities," industry applies to the producing of commodities, especially by manufacturing or processing, usually on a large scale.

When might business be a better fit than industry?

While the synonyms business and industry are close in meaning, business may be an inclusive term but specifically designates the activities of those engaged in the purchase or sale of commodities or in related financial transactions.

How do commerce and trade relate to one another, in the sense of industry?

Both commerce and trade imply the exchange and transportation of commodities.

When could traffic be used to replace industry?

The meanings of traffic and industry largely overlap; however, traffic applies to the operation and functioning of public carriers of goods and persons.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of industry

One of the biggest points of contention is South Korea’s auto industry, which was the third biggest exporter of automobiles to the U.S. last year. —Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025

Performers will be revealed in the coming weeks. 2025 ACM Industry, Studio Award Winners The ACM's industry awards celebrate venues and talent buyers/promoters who have purchased or promoted a predetermined number of country concerts, boosting genre ticket sales. —Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 10 July 2025

So this episode served as the Gang's uproarious middle finger to a television industry that prefers more middle-of-the-road, inoffensive crowd-pleasers, as the Paddy's crew swallowed their pride and entered the Annual Bar Association's best bar in Philly contest. —Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 10 July 2025

Building a unique brand in the highly competitive supermarket industry demands more than just high-quality content creation. —Jon Stojan, Freep.com, 10 July 2025