Definition of sedulousnext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sedulous different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of sedulous are assiduous, busy, diligent, and industrious. While all these words mean "actively engaged or occupied," sedulous implies painstaking and persevering application.

a sedulous investigation of the murder

Where would assiduous be a reasonable alternative to sedulous?

The synonyms assiduous and sedulous are sometimes interchangeable, but assiduous stresses careful and unremitting application.

assiduous practice

When can busy be used instead of sedulous?

The meanings of busy and sedulous largely overlap; however, busy chiefly stresses activity as opposed to idleness or leisure.

too busy to spend time with the children

When is diligent a more appropriate choice than sedulous?

Although the words diligent and sedulous have much in common, diligent suggests earnest application to some specific object or pursuit.

very diligent in her pursuit of a degree

In what contexts can industrious take the place of sedulous?

The words industrious and sedulous can be used in similar contexts, but industrious implies characteristic or habitual devotion to work.

industrious employees

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 sedulous Released in September 1975, the album’s sedulous world-building broke ground after an unexpected studio visit from co-founder Syd Barrett, who had departed Pink Floyd several years earlier on account of mental-health concerns. Devon Ivie, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2025 Trushant Mehta is a philomath and a sedulous and inquisitive tech evangelist. Trushant Mehta, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025 Putting festivals like this on stage is clearly just one part of the slow, sedulous work of relationship building and repair. Jeremy Eichler, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Mar. 2023 Among the advantages that billionaires receive due to their wealth is sedulous defenses by journalists and other camp followers. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2022 Led by Martin Amis, their ranks included Julian Barnes, Salman Rushdie—and a sedulous outlier named A.N. Wilson. Brenda Cronin, WSJ, 28 Oct. 2022 The skirmish over Arista was the second great battle of Clive’s life, as a sedulous Vanity Fair account of the affair put it. Amy X. Wang, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sedulous
Adjective
  • Thanks to the diligent work of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners, justice has been served, and this dangerous individual will now face severe consequences for his actions.
    Tim Fang, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2026
  • Nursing requires diligent, precise work, so risking her eyesight to harmful UV exposure is a non-option.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • In 2010, just 3% of married or engaged couples had a prenup.
    Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2026
  • Direct work factors included average workweek hours, employment rate, share of household where no adults work, share of workers leaving vacation time unused, share of engaged workers and idle youth rate.
    Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Its airport is one of the world’s busiest, serving as a home base for Emirates.
    Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026
  • Officials at Dubai International Airport -- the largest in the United Arab Emirates and one of the busiest in the world -- said four people were injured, while Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi said one person was killed and seven others were injured in a drone strike.
    CARA RUBINSKY, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sedulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sedulous. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.

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