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

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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 Ganjehei immediately put the industrious studio runners on the job of turning the soundstage into Bieber’s private court. —

Katie Atkinson, Billboard, 5 Jan. 2026 Indiscriminate mass deportation of our law abiding, industrious, dutiful neighbors only recently arrived? —

Connor Greene, Time, 18 Dec. 2025 Sean has always been an industrious, goal oriented, over achiever. —

Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 8 Dec. 2025 Sean has always been an industrious, goal oriented, over achiever. —

Dominic Patten, Deadline, 6 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for industrious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for industrious

Adjective

The cases placed a spotlight on homeschooling, but some advocates said that homeschool parents are largely highly diligent about educating their children and should not be penalized for the other cases.

— Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 8 Feb. 2026
The diligent work of our law enforcement partners time and again uncovers those attempting to hide behind a computer screen.

— Doug Myers, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026

Definition of diligent

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“Industrious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/industrious. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 12 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of industrious

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