CONSCIENTIOUS Synonyms: 148 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'conscientious' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of conscientious are honest , honorable , just , scrupulous , and upright . While all these words mean "having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right," conscientious and scrupulous imply an active moral sense governing all one's actions and painstaking efforts to follow one's conscience. // conscientious in the completion of her assignments // scrupulous in carrying out the terms of the will

Q: When can 'honest' be used instead of 'conscientious'?

Although the words honest and conscientious have much in common, honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness. // known for being honest in business dealings

Q: When could 'honorable' be used to replace 'conscientious'?

The synonyms honorable and conscientious are sometimes interchangeable, but honorable suggests a firm holding to codes of right behavior and the guidance of a high sense of honor and duty. // a difficult but honorable decision

Q: Where would 'just' be a reasonable alternative to 'conscientious'?

The words just and conscientious can be used in similar contexts, but just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable. // workers given just compensation

Q: When is 'upright' a more appropriate choice than 'conscientious'?

In some situations, the words upright and conscientious are roughly equivalent. However, upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles. // a stern and upright minister

conscientious

adjective

ˌkän(t)-shē-ˈen(t)-shəs

Definition of conscientious next

as in honorable

guided by or in accordance with one's sense of right and wrong operated on the belief that most people are conscientious, the unattended farm stand has a price list and a money drawer for customers to leave payment for their purchases

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in careful

taking, showing, or involving great care and effort a counselor who serves patients by first being a conscientious listener

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective conscientious differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of conscientious are honest, honorable, just, scrupulous, and upright. While all these words mean "having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right," conscientious and scrupulous imply an active moral sense governing all one's actions and painstaking efforts to follow one's conscience.

conscientious in the completion of her assignments

scrupulous in carrying out the terms of the will

When can honest be used instead of conscientious?

Although the words honest and conscientious have much in common, honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness.

known for being honest in business dealings

When could honorable be used to replace conscientious?

The synonyms honorable and conscientious are sometimes interchangeable, but honorable suggests a firm holding to codes of right behavior and the guidance of a high sense of honor and duty.

a difficult but honorable decision

Where would just be a reasonable alternative to conscientious?

The words just and conscientious can be used in similar contexts, but just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable.

workers given just compensation

When is upright a more appropriate choice than conscientious?

In some situations, the words upright and conscientious are roughly equivalent. However, upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles.

a stern and upright minister

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 conscientious According to recent research in the Psychology Bulletin, certain children tend to be the favorites, as parents may be more inclined to treat their daughters, as well as their agreeable and conscientious children, better. —

Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 16 Jan. 2025 Bluestone was not an environmentally conscientious operator. —

Christopher Helman, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025 Even in our personal lives, studies show that those who are conscientious or have agreeable dispositions are more likely to acquiesce to others’ demands. —

Dr. Sunita Sah, TIME, 4 Jan. 2025 But John is very hardworking, very conscientious, very talented, and spectacular fun. —

Mike Miller, EW.com, 17 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for conscientious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for conscientious

Adjective

Booker previously served in the United States Army but was removed from the military with a less than honorable discharge after going AWOL in 2017, Fox 2 Detroit reported, citing court documents.

— Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 14 Jan. 2025
Captain Dellinger of the US Army is an honorable man who only seeks the truth, and whose writing is filled with hope for a better future.

— Erik Kain, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025