DILIGENT Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'diligent' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of diligent are assiduous , busy , industrious , and sedulous . While all these words mean "actively engaged or occupied," diligent suggests earnest application to some specific object or pursuit. // very diligent in her pursuit of a degree

Q: When might 'assiduous' be a better fit than 'diligent'?

The meanings of assiduous and diligent largely overlap; however, assiduous stresses careful and unremitting application. // assiduous practice

Q: When is it sensible to use 'busy' instead of 'diligent'?

While the synonyms busy and diligent are close in meaning, busy chiefly stresses activity as opposed to idleness or leisure. // too busy to spend time with the children

Q: In what contexts can 'industrious' take the place of 'diligent'?

Although the words industrious and diligent have much in common, industrious implies characteristic or habitual devotion to work. // industrious employees

Q: When would 'sedulous' be a good substitute for 'diligent'?

The words sedulous and diligent can be used in similar contexts, but sedulous implies painstaking and persevering application. // a sedulous investigation of the murder

diligent

adjective

ˈdi-lə-jənt

Definition of diligent

as in engaged

involved in often constant activity a student who has been unceasingly diligent in pursuit of a degree in mathematics

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

Some common synonyms of diligent are assiduous, busy, industrious, and sedulous. While all these words mean "actively engaged or occupied," diligent suggests earnest application to some specific object or pursuit.

very diligent in her pursuit of a degree

When might assiduous be a better fit than diligent?

The meanings of assiduous and diligent largely overlap; however, assiduous stresses careful and unremitting application.

assiduous practice

When is it sensible to use busy instead of diligent?

While the synonyms busy and diligent are close in meaning, busy chiefly stresses activity as opposed to idleness or leisure.

too busy to spend time with the children

In what contexts can industrious take the place of diligent?

Although the words industrious and diligent have much in common, industrious implies characteristic or habitual devotion to work.

industrious employees

When would sedulous be a good substitute for diligent?

The words sedulous and diligent can be used in similar contexts, but 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 diligent Edwards said Brown was diligent in going to work and didn’t worry about the weather at all. — Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 27 Sep. 2026 Set in the summer of 1970, the story turns on the diligent civil servant Heikki who decides to host a high-ranking Soviet diplomat at his family’s lakeside cottage. — Annika Pham, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026 Treasury leaders must be diligent to ensure partners have what's needed to deliver safely and efficiently. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026 Find a formula that works best for your skin, and be diligent about using it. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for diligent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for diligent

Adjective

The couple began dating in 2018, became engaged in January 2019 and married in June of that year.

— Janelle Ash , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
If companies want more engaged workers, ADP CEO Maria Black says CEOs and senior leaders should start by asking themselves if employees trust them.

— Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of engaged

Adjective

The best travel accessories are the ones that quietly earn a permanent spot in your carry-on, and Amazon’s outlet has some useful finds ahead of the busy holiday travel season.

— Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 22 Oct. 2026
Emily Ratajkowski has been keeping busy in Los Angeles, mixing daring mirror selfies with a little romance.

— Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of busy

Adjective

There is some minor damage noted in the Carfax report, and the auction listing also notes there is an open recall on the car—suggesting its owner was perhaps not the most assiduous—but, overall, looks clean in the photos.

— Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 25 May 2026
The astronauts were therefore assiduous in their descriptions of the crater.

— Mike Wall, Space.com, 7 Apr. 2026

Definition of assiduous

Adjective

This theory, also known as active inference or the free energy principle, has become one of the most important frameworks in neuroscience for understanding how the brain works as a whole.

— Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Residents have been bracing to see what El Niño has in store this winter after an active hurricane season that has dramatically reshaped many of Southern California’s most famous beaches, including in San Clemente and adjacent Capistrano Beach.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of active

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“Diligent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diligent. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of diligent

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