BUSY Synonyms: 161 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of busy are assiduous , diligent , industrious , and sedulous . While all these words mean "actively engaged or occupied," busy chiefly stresses activity as opposed to idleness or leisure. // too busy to spend time with the children

Q: When would 'assiduous' be a good substitute for 'busy'?

While in some cases nearly identical to busy , assiduous stresses careful and unremitting application. // assiduous practice

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

The words diligent and busy can be used in similar contexts, but diligent suggests earnest application to some specific object or pursuit. // very diligent in her pursuit of a degree

Q: Where would 'industrious' be a reasonable alternative to 'busy'?

The synonyms industrious and busy are sometimes interchangeable, but industrious implies characteristic or habitual devotion to work. // industrious employees

Q: When could 'sedulous' be used to replace 'busy'?

The words sedulous and busy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sedulous implies painstaking and persevering application. // a sedulous investigation of the murder

busy 1 of 2

adjective

ˈbi-zē

Definition of busy

as in engaged

involved in often constant activity the deadline is in two days, so everyone at work has been extremely busy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in buzzing

marked by much life, movement, or activity the busy, often hectic floor of the New York Stock Exchange

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in intruding

thrusting oneself where one is not welcome or invited she's one of those busy production facilitators—always concerned about other people's work and never her own

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

busy

2 of 2

verb

as in to interest

to hold the attention of the video game busied the child for hours

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of busy are assiduous, diligent, industrious, and sedulous. While all these words mean "actively engaged or occupied," busy chiefly stresses activity as opposed to idleness or leisure.

too busy to spend time with the children

When would assiduous be a good substitute for busy?

While in some cases nearly identical to busy, assiduous stresses careful and unremitting application.

assiduous practice

In what contexts can diligent take the place of busy?

The words diligent and busy can be used in similar contexts, but diligent suggests earnest application to some specific object or pursuit.

very diligent in her pursuit of a degree

Where would industrious be a reasonable alternative to busy?

The synonyms industrious and busy are sometimes interchangeable, but industrious implies characteristic or habitual devotion to work.

industrious employees

When could sedulous be used to replace busy?

The words sedulous and busy 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 busy

Adjective

Some restaurants had to close on Friday and Saturdays, which are their busiest days, according to McCaskill. — Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Aug. 2026 Service members are already busy with a myriad of requirements, including the conflict in Iran and the Red Sea, patrols in the Pacific, and maintenance requirements and physical readiness tests. — Emelia S. Probasco, Foreign Affairs, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

Silberman also busies himself as chairman of the welcoming committee. — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 2 May 2026 No Spotify playlists needed here—the natural sounds of this Arctic retreat are the perfect antidote to busy urban life. — Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for busy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for busy

Adjective

The jury was listening intently and looking at the screen as the story of the shooting unfolded, more engaged after already listening to hours of the recording.

— Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Say what has changed, ask what still works, and suggest a flexible next step that gives both people space to stay engaged.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of engaged

Adjective

Tucked away in a private backyard in Ashford, one of the state’s few apitherapy huts allows people to breathe in air from thousands of buzzing bees.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 6 Aug. 2026
Over the decades, the equipment evolved into today’s version of the sport, featuring a beeping softball and four-foot-tall buzzing foam bases that guide players through sound.

— Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of buzzing

Adjective

Dimes Square has like an annoying stereotype — people are kind of like, uh, jeans and a tank top.

— Zach Schiffman, Curbed, 21 Aug. 2026
When Mel arrives, all hell breaks loose, but at least the perpetually charming Fisher is up for the task of playing someone who is both completely annoying and totally winning.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of annoying

Verb

With your sisters Kim and Kylie breaking into the acting world over the last couple of years, with American Horror Story, All’s Fair and The Moment, is acting something that still interests you?

— Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026
There’s nothing inherently wrong with wanting to talk about what interests him, in the right context.

— R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of interest

Adjective

More recently, diligent and passionate biologists, chemists, and experts from other disciplines have used technology for contemporary experiments that reveal a spectrum of plant consciousness.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2026
Dark circles happen, acne pops up, and dark spots can even appear despite diligent sunscreen use.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of diligent

Adjective

Ambivalent about leaving Wisconsin, Caroline is befriended by the officious Jemma James (Mary Holland), whose husband, Eli (Michael Hough), is a railroad man.

— Judy Berman, Time, 9 July 2026
The former is heralded with a blast of horns; the latter guards its inner sanctum behind Tobie Windham’s officious sentry.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of officious

Verb

Zelenskyy said Russia had occupied about 990 square kilometers since the start of the year, while Ukraine had restored control over roughly 820 square kilometers.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Meanwhile, the aging bachelor lived as something of a recluse in the Independence mansion occupied by multiple other relatives and in-laws.

— Dan Kelly August 22, Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of occupy

Browse Nearby Words

busty

busy

busybodies

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Style

“Busy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busy. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of busy

adjective

verb

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