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

She was a dedicated observer of the Sabbath and Jewish laws, a diligent student of Hebrew and a tireless philanthropic force in aiding vulnerable Jewish communities abroad.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

Everyone you speak to about Peters says the same words: meticulous, diligent, thorough.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

She was diligent and obedient and believed with all her heart that one day her prayers would be answered.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny

Vocabulary lists containing diligent

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Grade 9, List 1

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