Definitions

diligent

[dil-i-juhnt] / ˈdɪl ɪ dʒənt /

ADJECTIVE

persevering, hard-working

Synonyms

STRONGEST

active assiduous attentive careful conscientious eager earnest indefatigable industrious painstaking persistent studious tireless

WEAK

busy constant eager beaver grind laborious occupied operose persisting pertinacious plugging sedulous steadfast unflagging unrelenting untiring

Antonyms

STRONGEST

careless disinterested idle ignorant inactive inattentive lazy neglectful thoughtless tired uncareful unconcerned unenthusiastic unscrupulous weary

WEAK

indifferent languid lethargic negligent

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Luckily the keepers here are incredibly diligent, so they are noticing the subtle changes in an animal."

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

Those who have worked alongside him describe him as a "by the book man" who has had a distinguished career in public service and is "diligent about processes and acting properly."

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

Avoiding price increases for consumers will require diligent utility commissioners who scrutinize spending plans and push for the grid to be used more efficiently, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Herzog depicts the bushmen who aid Boyes as dignified, diligent and intelligent without romanticizing them while capturing the rugged beauty of the African landscape.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

But the shipping clerk at the Howrah train station was evidently a man both befuddled and diligent.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

Vocabulary lists containing diligent

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Grade 9, List 1

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