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.

Although she is quite frugal, she has not been particularly diligent with investing.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026

In other cases, diligent taxpayers file extensions because they don’t have all the forms they need.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 8, 2026

Indexing presumes general market efficiency: The counterparty to an active seller is an active buyer; both are confident, well-staffed and diligent.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

In a report published last year the UK Covid Inquiry praised the former first minister as a "serious and diligent leader", but said she "often excluded" some government ministers and advisers from key discussions.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

I'll be more diligent and log every day.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

Vocabulary lists containing diligent

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Grade 9, List 1

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