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 Nevertheless, scholars and activists have done diligent work to calculate the damage. — Literary Hub, 27 July 2026 Also, be diligent about recycling if there are bins provided. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 27 July 2026 All of this, the trio says, was a combination of diligent preparation on Jay’s orders and the spontaneity of bringing in guests across the evenings, including Eminem, Rihanna, Beyoncé and Blue Ivy Carter. — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 20 July 2026 Children in particular are unfamiliar with the signs of heat illness and require guardians to be diligent of their temperatures and hydration needs. — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado updated July 17, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for diligent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for diligent

Adjective

The content remained identical, but attendance immediately became more engaged because employees could no longer operate on autopilot.

— Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Roberts and Ocasio-Cortez became engaged in 2022 in Puerto Rico, where the congresswoman's family has roots, according to Business Insider.

— Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of engaged

Adjective

Also handily located for the railway station and the busy East Coast line that runs from London to Scotland.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Once the couple can fit the celebration into their busy schedules, Reba alum Melissa Peterman is ready to make their wedding cake.

— Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 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

Yellowstone remains an active volcano Yellowstone sits above a hotspot where heat from deep inside Earth melts rock beneath the crust.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
Passengers are mostly active adult couples looking for a romantic interlude in the relaxed atmosphere of a yacht.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of active

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“Diligent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diligent. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of diligent

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