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 The person who reads a stack of newsletters before breakfast gets treated as diligent, and the person who scrolls for an hour and calls it research gets away with it entirely. — Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 The unknowable force that does not lend itself to hope, prayer, diligent actions, good intentions or rigorous effort. — Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026 James also arrives at the arena atypically early, part of a diligent pregame routine. — Fred Katz, New York Times, 31 July 2026 Also, be diligent about recycling if there are bins provided. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for diligent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for diligent

Adjective

Smythson Bride-To-Be Soho Notebook Wedding season may be coming to a close, but this notebook is a perfect gift to help give engaged couples a place to plan out their nuptials for the coming year.

— Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 26 Aug. 2026
Families speak not only about how their children are more engaged in school, but happier and more hopeful about their future.

— Grant Oliphant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of engaged

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

Every active iPhone, iPad, or Mac sold generates continuous cash flow regardless of whether the owner upgrades their physical device that year.

— Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
Meta reported in July that Instagram has 2 billion daily active users — nearly a quarter of the Earth's population.

— John Ruwitch, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of active

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“Diligent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diligent. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of diligent

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