Synonym Chooser

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

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

assiduous practice

When is it sensible to use busy instead of assiduous?

Although the words busy and assiduous have much in common, busy chiefly stresses activity as opposed to idleness or leisure.

too busy to spend time with the children

When could diligent be used to replace assiduous?

The words diligent and assiduous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, diligent suggests earnest application to some specific object or pursuit.

very diligent in her pursuit of a degree

When would industrious be a good substitute for assiduous?

While in some cases nearly identical to assiduous, industrious implies characteristic or habitual devotion to work.

industrious employees

When can sedulous be used instead of assiduous?

The meanings of sedulous and assiduous largely overlap; however, 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 assiduous The irony of the term extension is that Disney, which pushed so hard to keep its own creations out of the public domain, is perhaps our most assiduous exploiter of, yes, the public domain. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2023 Securing the best surviving print of a film often required assiduous detective work. Joshua Hunt, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024 Maestro centers on Cooper’s assiduous show of respect for Bernstein — Cooper meticulously enacts Bernstein’s rise to celebrity while sympathetically balancing his hotshot, wunderkind arrogance with the physical ravages of time. Armond White, National Review, 22 Dec. 2023 Saved Stories The renowned television producer Norman Lear, who died yesterday at 101, pursued his craft with an assiduous fervor throughout his seven decades in the entertainment industry. Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2023 See all Example Sentences for assiduous 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for assiduous
Adjective
  • If the amount of delinquencies shown in the balance sheet is too large, perhaps the board is not being sufficiently diligent in the unhappy business of pursuing delinquent owners.
    Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
  • Users should be diligent about verifying any unexpected file-sharing notification that hits their inbox and remain cautious of documents prompting sensitive actions, such as logging into accounts.
    Mike Britton, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor, who was on the council in 2016, feels like her city was much more engaged last time around.
    Grace Hase, The Mercury News, 9 Feb. 2025
  • Dedicate a prize for the winning card to get everyone even more engaged.
    Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • While Arrowhead Stadium will be empty in 2025, T-Mobile Center, Midland Theatre, Uptown Theater, Starlight and others are busy.
    Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2025
  • December was busy as ever, squeezing in bites between holiday parties, restaurant reviews and end-of-year deadlines.
    Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2025

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Thesaurus Entries Near assiduous

Cite this Entry

“Assiduous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assiduous. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on assiduous

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