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busy

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verb

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a busy place
a bustling place
a lively place
a hectic place
a crowded place
a congested place
a busy intersection
a bustling intersection
a crowded intersection
a congested intersection
a jammed intersection
a hectic intersection
a busy week
a hectic week
an eventful week
a productive week
a big week
a long week

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

Examples 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
But even at the busiest voting locations, poll workers and voters generally reported that voting was going smoothly. Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 6 Nov. 2024 Federal offices and federal courts will be open—and likely busy before the day is over. Chris Morris, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
Indeed, while fans and pundits have been busying themselves with speculation about the depths of his team loyalty and his future, James has been busy building an economic empire tying himself more fully to Los Angeles. Erika D. Smith, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2024 While the crew, in pale blue shirts, busied themselves screwing in steps and attaching speakers, 10 front of house workers, in green shirts, arranged 250 chairs on three sides of the stage. Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 4 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for busy 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for busy
Adjective
  • In turn, this leads to greater success, stronger relationships and a more loyal, engaged workforce.
    Krystyna Larrave, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Both professors caution that adverse weather could reduce voter turnout, especially among less politically engaged voters who may skip voting due to rain or snow.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Interact with content that interests you and increases your happiness to filter in more of it on your timeline.
    Renée Onque, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2024
  • Is that a path that interests you, the stage-to-TV-show pipeline?
    Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • The company prides itself on its diligent authentication process, ensuring that every item sold is 100% genuine.
    Kasey Caminiti, USA TODAY, 23 Oct. 2024
  • As your wealth compounds, diligent legacy planning grows increasingly vital.
    Brian Niksa, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • Havana Cabana at Key West (Key West, FL) leans into its namesake by blending Cuba's vibrant art and culture with chic, tropical design elements throughout its 106 guest rooms.
    Michael Goldstein, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
  • The yard is filled with vibrant green shrubbery, flowering plants, trees and a patio, overlooking a lakefront view.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • This is expected on hybrids, battery-electric vehicles and plug-ins as the brakes first must work through the regenerative motion, but this can become annoying with a traditional setup.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
  • All those annoying texts and calls should stop after today.
    Carl Weiser, The Enquirer, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • India also bristled at the way one plank of the initiative—the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor—moved through territory that New Delhi insists belongs to India and is illegally occupied by Pakistan.
    Harsh V. Pant, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2024
  • The property occupies a sizable 6,426-square-foot lot.
    Bay Area Home Report, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • And adopting a new, more sustainable strategy for Kyiv is the best way to do so—and to therefore ensure Ukraine continues to exist as a thriving, sovereign, independent nation.
    Richard Haass, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2024
  • But the economic implications of a thriving hackathon culture extend beyond individual participants.
    Mostofa Shakib, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • There’s something officious about Alden Ehrenreich.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Jan. 2023
  • Her charming luxury treasure trove has none of that officious chilliness that defines the typical store of its ilk but instead feels like a brocanterie crammed with interesting, unexpected luxury goods from across the world.
    Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 2 Jan. 2023

Thesaurus Entries Near busy

Cite this Entry

“Busy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busy. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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