busy 1 of 2

Definition of busynext
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busy

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word busy different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of busy are assiduous, diligent, industrious, and sedulous. While all these words mean "actively engaged or occupied," busy chiefly stresses activity as opposed to idleness or leisure.

too busy to spend time with the children

When would assiduous be a good substitute for busy?

While in some cases nearly identical to busy, assiduous stresses careful and unremitting application.

assiduous practice

In what contexts can diligent take the place of busy?

The words diligent and busy can be used in similar contexts, but diligent suggests earnest application to some specific object or pursuit.

very diligent in her pursuit of a degree

Where would industrious be a reasonable alternative to busy?

The synonyms industrious and busy are sometimes interchangeable, but industrious implies characteristic or habitual devotion to work.

industrious employees

When could sedulous be used to replace busy?

The words sedulous and busy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sedulous implies painstaking and persevering application.

a sedulous investigation of the murder

How is the word busy different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of busy are assiduous, diligent, industrious, and sedulous. While all these words mean "actively engaged or occupied," busy chiefly stresses activity as opposed to idleness or leisure.

too busy to spend time with the children

When would assiduous be a good substitute for busy?

While in some cases nearly identical to busy, assiduous stresses careful and unremitting application.

assiduous practice

In what contexts can diligent take the place of busy?

The words diligent and busy can be used in similar contexts, but diligent suggests earnest application to some specific object or pursuit.

very diligent in her pursuit of a degree

Where would industrious be a reasonable alternative to busy?

The synonyms industrious and busy are sometimes interchangeable, but industrious implies characteristic or habitual devotion to work.

industrious employees

When could sedulous be used to replace busy?

The words sedulous and busy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sedulous implies painstaking and persevering application.

a sedulous investigation of the murder

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of busy
Adjective
This rug is great for a patio or busy area like a mudroom. Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2026 As a trainer at a busy horse show barn, Laena Romond found herself with a rare few hours off on a Sunday morning in December 2024. Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
The song vamps where Railings used to weave and wind, its ever-busying rhythm section building tension atop its harmonic simplicity. Craig Heed, Pitchfork, 29 Jan. 2026 The department has also busied itself in Minneapolis with prosecuting residents opposed to what federal officials are doing in their city and immigrants trying to flee their pursuers, a tactic seen in other cities targeted for immigration enforcement. Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for busy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for busy
Adjective
  • Even if a fraction of the clip audience watches or listens to the entirety of something, that audience tends to be very engaged and usually motivated to pay for that content.
    Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026
  • The engaged core audience became brand ambassadors, and the resulting social reach was the best launch the client had ever had.
    Kennedy French, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The feeding ports keep out buzzing bees, while the ant moat hanger will keep away pesky ants, so the nectar is saved just for the hummingbirds.
    Brittany VanDerBill, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Located near Phipps Plaza and Lenox Square, these elegant accommodations are in the neighborhood's buzzing fashion district.
    Ellie Nan Storck, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The fact that both CBS News and CNN will be under the new corporate roof, however, makes the involvement of Saudi Arabia and other Persian Gulf interests a sensitive point.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2026
  • There’s something easy about sweet that doesn’t interest me.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • These trees need proper attention to grow to their full potential—pruning is essential, as is being diligent against pests.
    Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Defenseman Jacob Moverare was highlighted with the Daryl Evans Youth Hockey Service Award for his diligent and enthusiastic work with the Kings’ learn-to-play program.
    Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • After some 53 years, Antigone remains a no-frills stronghold where community organizers trade flyers near the entrance, and the inventory captures the perspectives of life in a vibrant border city.
    Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2026
  • With the collection intertwined with the world of racing since its debut in 1986, the Tag Heuer Formula 1 watch has become a symbol of performance while simultaneously showcasing its distinct design, vibrant hues and innovative technology.
    Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Your husband’s petty desire to be right about everything is understandably annoying and somewhat typical behavior.
    Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Dealing with frost on your car may be a nuisance in the winter, but seeds, leaves, and flower petals can be equally as annoying in spring.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • This exercise is intended to not only show where the Rangers have players in place for 2026-27, and which spots those players are likely to occupy, but also to highlight the most glaring holes.
    Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Ganni has historically occupied a clearly accessible contemporary positioning, but its elevation strategy has nudged it upward without fully redefining what the brand stands for.
    Maliha Shoaib, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Amazing was part of a thriving genre of periodicals that included Astounding Stories of Super-Science (later Analog Science Fiction and Fact) and Galaxy Science Fiction.
    Chris Klimek, NPR, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Among the many paying tribute to Thomas were those whose appreciation stretched back through his long career to his family roots in the thriving Yiddish theater scene of early 20th-century America.
    Penny Schwartz, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Busy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busy. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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