enterprising

[en-ter-prahy-zing] / ˈɛn tərˌpraɪ zɪŋ /

ADJECTIVE

resourceful, energetic

Synonyms

STRONGEST

adventurous ambitious aspiring daring dashing diligent hardworking industrious intrepid

WEAK

active advancing aggressive alert audacious bold busy coming on strong craving driving eager enthusiastic go ahead go-go gumptious hard ball hungry hustling itching keen lively lusting peppy progressive pushing ready self-starting snappy spanking spark plug spirited stirring takeover up-and-coming venturesome vigorous yearning zealous zippy

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cowardly inactive lazy lethargic meek timid unadventurous

WEAK

passive unambitious unenthused unimaginative unresourceful

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.

Some enterprising Cubans with access to U.S. dollars are making a living during the instability.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

It is symbolic of your enterprising younger self, and all of those fancy cars and five-star vacations that you passed up on, perhaps using that money as a down payment on your next property instead.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

And they must seem intelligent without actually being enterprising enough to stand out from the crowd of near-identical films.

From Salon • Mar. 29, 2026

The Northampton back row was included in the starting XV for the first time after seven enterprising cameos as a replacement.

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026

The enterprising ones would skim off their share, and if they were smart and wished to enjoy their lives, they’d learn how to ski and play golf.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols

Vocabulary lists containing enterprising

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