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.

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

There was no diligent retailer in the Philippines who realized they overcharged you for an eBay or Amazon purchase you had forgotten you made years ago, and miraculously wanted to make you whole.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 25, 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

She was particularly diligent about checking for accuracy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

I thought that by a more restrained and moderate use of the voice and a diligent way of speaking I could both avoid the danger and acquire more variety in my style.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith

Vocabulary lists containing diligent

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