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Some common synonyms of busy<\/em> are assiduous<\/em><\/a>, diligent<\/em><\/a>, industrious<\/em><\/a>, and sedulous<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"actively engaged or occupied,\" busy<\/em> chiefly stresses activity as opposed to idleness or leisure.<\/p>

\/\/ too busy<\/em> to spend time with the children<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'assiduous' be a good substitute for 'busy'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to busy<\/em>, assiduous<\/em><\/a> stresses careful and unremitting application.<\/p>

\/\/ assiduous<\/em> practice<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'diligent' take the place of 'busy'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words diligent<\/em><\/a> and busy<\/em> can be used in similar contexts, but diligent<\/em> suggests earnest application to some specific object or pursuit.<\/p>

\/\/ very diligent<\/em> in her pursuit of a degree<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'industrious' be a reasonable alternative to 'busy'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms industrious<\/em><\/a> and busy<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but industrious<\/em> implies characteristic or habitual devotion to work.<\/p>

\/\/ industrious<\/em> employees<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'sedulous' be used to replace 'busy'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words sedulous<\/em><\/a> and busy<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sedulous<\/em> implies painstaking and persevering application.<\/p>

\/\/ a sedulous<\/em> investigation of the murder<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How is the word 'busy' different from other adjectives like it?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Some common synonyms of busy<\/em> are assiduous<\/em><\/a>, diligent<\/em><\/a>, industrious<\/em><\/a>, and sedulous<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"actively engaged or occupied,\" busy<\/em> chiefly stresses activity as opposed to idleness or leisure.<\/p>

\/\/ too busy<\/em> to spend time with the children<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'assiduous' be a good substitute for 'busy'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to busy<\/em>, assiduous<\/em><\/a> stresses careful and unremitting application.<\/p>

\/\/ assiduous<\/em> practice<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'diligent' take the place of 'busy'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words diligent<\/em><\/a> and busy<\/em> can be used in similar contexts, but diligent<\/em> suggests earnest application to some specific object or pursuit.<\/p>

\/\/ very diligent<\/em> in her pursuit of a degree<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'industrious' be a reasonable alternative to 'busy'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms industrious<\/em><\/a> and busy<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but industrious<\/em> implies characteristic or habitual devotion to work.<\/p>

\/\/ industrious<\/em> employees<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'sedulous' be used to replace 'busy'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words sedulous<\/em><\/a> and busy<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sedulous<\/em> implies painstaking and persevering application.<\/p>

\/\/ a sedulous<\/em> investigation of the murder<\/p>" } } ] }

busy 1 of 2

adjective

ˈbi-zÄ“ How to pronounce busy (audio)
Definition of busynext
1
as in engaged
involved in often constant activity the deadline is in two days, so everyone at work has been extremely busy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in buzzing
marked by much life, movement, or activity the busy, often hectic floor of the New York Stock Exchange

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in intruding
thrusting oneself where one is not welcome or invited she's one of those busy production facilitators—always concerned about other people's work and never her own

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

busy

2 of 2

verb

as in to interest
to hold the attention of the video game busied the child for hours

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of busy are assiduous, diligent, industrious, and sedulous. While all these words mean "actively engaged or occupied," busy chiefly stresses activity as opposed to idleness or leisure.

too busy to spend time with the children

When would assiduous be a good substitute for busy?

While in some cases nearly identical to busy, assiduous stresses careful and unremitting application.

assiduous practice

In what contexts can diligent take the place of busy?

The words diligent and busy can be used in similar contexts, but diligent suggests earnest application to some specific object or pursuit.

very diligent in her pursuit of a degree

Where would industrious be a reasonable alternative to busy?

The synonyms industrious and busy are sometimes interchangeable, but industrious implies characteristic or habitual devotion to work.

industrious employees

When could sedulous be used to replace busy?

The words sedulous and busy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sedulous implies painstaking and persevering application.

a sedulous investigation of the murder

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

Some common synonyms of busy are assiduous, diligent, industrious, and sedulous. While all these words mean "actively engaged or occupied," busy chiefly stresses activity as opposed to idleness or leisure.

too busy to spend time with the children

When would assiduous be a good substitute for busy?

While in some cases nearly identical to busy, assiduous stresses careful and unremitting application.

assiduous practice

In what contexts can diligent take the place of busy?

The words diligent and busy can be used in similar contexts, but diligent suggests earnest application to some specific object or pursuit.

very diligent in her pursuit of a degree

Where would industrious be a reasonable alternative to busy?

The synonyms industrious and busy are sometimes interchangeable, but industrious implies characteristic or habitual devotion to work.

industrious employees

When could sedulous be used to replace busy?

The words sedulous and busy 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 busy
Adjective
Officers approached the car on the busy Ocean Drive during spring break and told Palacios to pull over onto the right shoulder of the road. —Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026 The recent incident suggests that while robots can enhance dining experiences, their deployment in busy, unpredictable environments still requires careful control and safety planning. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
For the first 12 minutes, the Celtics busied themselves by snapping up free points. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026 Eventually, though, after the Falcons recovered an onside kick successfully and knelt the rest of the way en route to a 19-17 victory, the family busied themselves jumping up and down, screaming for joy. —Diamond Vences, Charlotte Observer, 5 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for busy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for busy
  1. engaged
  2. buzzing
  3. interest
  4. diligent
  5. vibrant
  6. annoying
  7. occupy
  8. thriving
Adjective
  • Kerr, a former Victoria’s Secret model, went on to wed billionaire Snap CEO Evan Spiegel, and the English actor subsequently dated and became engaged to pop star Katy Perry, only to split with her last summer after nearly a decade together.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Directed by Kristoffer Borgli, The Drama stars Zendaya opposite Robert Pattinson as an engaged couple in the midst of wedding preparations, whose relationship is put to the test after a startling revelation.
    — Valentine Ulgu-Servant, Vanity Fair, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of engaged
Adjective
  • Opt for the spring or fall to enjoy the best of the city's buzzing outdoor markets and piazzas.
    — Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Tamarindo, a great stretch of beach for surfing, is equally famous for its nightlife, with buzzing spots like Chiquita's Tamarindo.
    — Natalie Hammond, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Mar. 2026
Definition of buzzing
Verb
  • If the mouse doesn't interest you, save money by subscribing to the standalone Hulu app.
    — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 19 Mar. 2026
  • And along with gender and empowerment, there’s also something about having bright colors and a lot of grief on stage that interests me.
    — Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
Definition of interest
Adjective
  • Herzog depicts the bushmen who aid Boyes as dignified, diligent and intelligent without romanticizing them while capturing the rugged beauty of the African landscape.
    — Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
  • The men who are in the legislature’s top leadership positions maul the budget the committee chaired by two diligent women adopts after weeks of hearings and deliberations.
    — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of diligent
Adjective
  • The Panthers' stingy defense hung in against the Big East champions' vibrant offense, but Ejiofor and the Johnnies have resembled a national title contender since shortly after the calendar flipped to 2026.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
  • That image of the siblings together, sharing a dance among palm trees and vibrant colors, was visual confirmation that the continuity of Princess Caroline's legacy was assured.
    — Diego Parrado, Vanity Fair, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of vibrant
Adjective
  • Food allergy safety is now being treated as a pillar of hospitality, not an inconvenience or an annoying exception.
    — K. H. Koehler, Ascend Agency, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Everybody’s a critic, and critics can be very annoying.
    — Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2026
Definition of annoying
Verb
  • But there is still plenty of room for improvement at the nickel position, currently occupied by Chau Smith-Wade, and the rest of the depth chart.
    — Mike Kaye March 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Politics consequently occupies much of the space for leftists that is usually taken up by family, religion, career and community for conservatives.
    — Bradley Gitz, Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of occupy
Adjective
  • Tushar Pandya, who transformed a small business area on Sauk Trail into a thriving multibusiness enterprise.
    — Jerry Shnay, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
  • From a thriving artisanal craft tradition to a slate of luxury hospitality openings, Mallorca has a lot to offer these days to debunk its onetime reputation as a bland resort outpost.
    — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of thriving

Browse Nearby Words

busty
busy
busybodies
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Cite this Entry

“Busy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busy. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of busy for Spanish Speakers

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