Definition of sedulousnext

Synonym Chooser

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 Released in September 1975, the album’s sedulous world-building broke ground after an unexpected studio visit from co-founder Syd Barrett, who had departed Pink Floyd several years earlier on account of mental-health concerns. Devon Ivie, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2025 Trushant Mehta is a philomath and a sedulous and inquisitive tech evangelist. Trushant Mehta, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025 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 Led by Martin Amis, their ranks included Julian Barnes, Salman Rushdie—and a sedulous outlier named A.N. Wilson. Brenda Cronin, WSJ, 28 Oct. 2022 The skirmish over Arista was the second great battle of Clive’s life, as a sedulous Vanity Fair account of the affair put it. Amy X. Wang, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sedulous
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
Adjective
  • Our divisions are constantly nudged, magnified, monetized, and weaponized by systems that profit from keeping us emotionally engaged and perpetually agitated.
    Joe Palaggi, Twin Cities, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Reality Steve also reported that Miguel has since gotten engaged to another woman not from Love Is Blind Season 10.
    Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Lately, Chalamet has been busy moving beyond movie promotion and hitting the Oscars campaign trail following his best actor nomination for Marty Supreme.
    Christi Carras, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
  • This can be a place of refuge after a busy day of new experiences or from the bustling pool deck.
    Megan duBois, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sedulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sedulous. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on sedulous

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