Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of industrious are assiduous, busy, diligent, and sedulous. While all these words mean "actively engaged or occupied," industrious implies characteristic or habitual devotion to work.

industrious employees

When could assiduous be used to replace industrious?

In some situations, the words assiduous and industrious are roughly equivalent. However, assiduous stresses careful and unremitting application.

assiduous practice

When is busy a more appropriate choice than industrious?

While the synonyms busy and industrious are close in meaning, busy chiefly stresses activity as opposed to idleness or leisure.

too busy to spend time with the children

When can diligent be used instead of industrious?

Although the words diligent and industrious have much in common, diligent suggests earnest application to some specific object or pursuit.

very diligent in her pursuit of a degree

When would sedulous be a good substitute for industrious?

The words sedulous and industrious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 industrious Humans’ desire for timber and space for parking lots and shopping centers eventually proved too much for even the most industrious squirrel, and the long emigrations eventually ended. Christine Peterson, Vox, 23 Dec. 2024 Named for a particularly industrious kind of computer program that takes a long time to run, the problem is connected to some of the deepest open questions in computer science and mathematics. Bill Andrews, Quanta Magazine, 19 Dec. 2024 Melania Trump also wasn’t known to be the most industrious of first ladies, according to Rogers. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 12 Dec. 2024 The European badger: industrious, nocturnal, nattily dressed in black-and-white stripes. Anna Russell, The New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for industrious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for industrious
Adjective
  • Kurt's key takeaways Tony's story is a chilling reminder that even the most diligent savers can fall victim to sophisticated scams.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Ignoring these factors can undermine even the most diligent retirement saver. 3.
    Mike Vietri, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Turn passing glances into engaged followers by speaking directly to their immediate concerns.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
  • After meeting online and falling in love, Jay and Pamela are engaged and live together with Jay’s parents.
    Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • However, the Panthers were able to get a two-year deal done with cornerback Mike Jackson after a busy day of negotiating elsewhere.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2025
  • The good news is, Spanx’s sale section is currently bursting with pieces practically made for long-haul flights and busy travel days, so now is the best time to fill any gaps in your wardrobe before the weather heats up.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 12 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Industrious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/industrious. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on industrious

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