SEDULOUS Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'sedulous' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of sedulous are assiduous , busy , diligent , and industrious . While all these words mean "actively engaged or occupied," sedulous implies painstaking and persevering application. // a sedulous investigation of the murder

Q: Where would 'assiduous' be a reasonable alternative to 'sedulous'?

The synonyms assiduous and sedulous are sometimes interchangeable, but assiduous stresses careful and unremitting application. // assiduous practice

Q: When can 'busy' be used instead of 'sedulous'?

The meanings of busy and sedulous largely overlap; however, busy chiefly stresses activity as opposed to idleness or leisure. // too busy to spend time with the children

Q: When is 'diligent' a more appropriate choice than 'sedulous'?

Although the words diligent and sedulous have much in common, diligent suggests earnest application to some specific object or pursuit. // very diligent in her pursuit of a degree

Q: In what contexts can 'industrious' take the place of 'sedulous'?

The words industrious and sedulous can be used in similar contexts, but industrious implies characteristic or habitual devotion to work. // industrious employees

sedulous

adjective

ˈse-jə-ləs

Definition of sedulous

as in diligent

involved in often constant activity an impressively sedulous suitor, he was constantly sending her flowers and other tokens of his affection

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

a sedulous investigation of the murder

Where would assiduous be a reasonable alternative to sedulous?

The synonyms assiduous and sedulous are sometimes interchangeable, but assiduous stresses careful and unremitting application.

assiduous practice

When can busy be used instead of sedulous?

The meanings of busy and sedulous largely overlap; however, busy chiefly stresses activity as opposed to idleness or leisure.

too busy to spend time with the children

When is diligent a more appropriate choice than sedulous?

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

very diligent in her pursuit of a degree

In what contexts can industrious take the place of sedulous?

The words industrious and sedulous can be used in similar contexts, but industrious implies characteristic or habitual devotion to work.

industrious employees

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 sedulous Putting festivals like this on stage is clearly just one part of the slow, sedulous work of relationship building and repair. —Jeremy Eichler, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Mar. 2023 Among the advantages that billionaires receive due to their wealth is sedulous defenses by journalists and other camp followers. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2022 The wrong calls on the Truss program reflected a knee-jerk impulse of supply-siders to react to anything even remotely resembling the policies of Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan with sedulous adoration. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2022

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sedulous

Adjective

Beyond analyzing troves of data to sift through requirements even the most diligent person might miss, AI can proactively respond to requests with lightning speed—a superhuman ability that might have saved Josef K from the state.

— Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Toney is already a diligent student of the game.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2025