INDUSTRIOUS Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

industrious

adjective

in-ˈdə-strē-əs

Definition of industrious next

as in diligent

involved in often constant activity an industrious worker who never seems to sleep

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 As an industrious and self-reliant senior, Ringwald essentially baby-sits her chronically myopic father (Harry Dean Stanton), sews her own clothes and contends with the condescension of her patrician peers. —

Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2026 In a flashback to 2023, the Writers Guild strike is on, and our compulsively industrious protagonist is using the time to make her Broadway debut, in the same Chicago role that has welcomed reality TV veterans like Ariana Madix and Erika Jayne. —

Judy Berman, Time, 17 Mar. 2026 But what do real beaver experts actually do to study these industrious creatures? —

Brianne Kane, Scientific American, 13 Mar. 2026 Otto Rehhagel engineered four industrious victories against hosts Portugal (in both the group stage and the semis), France and the Czech Republic, with goals from corners winning them their semi-final and the final by 1-0 scorelines. —

Tim Spiers, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for industrious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for industrious

Adjective

There’s yet another reason to be diligent with your daily SPF.

— Kara Nesvig, Allure, 14 May 2026
In the end, after a monthslong investigation and diligent forensic work, partial remains of 70 of the 110 victims were identified and returned to family members who, to this day, carry the pain of that day in 1996.

— Hank Tester, CBS News, 12 May 2026