Synonyms of industry

industry

noun

ˈin-(ˌ)də-strē 

as in effort

attentive and persistent effort

he isn't the smartest kid in class, but he gets the best grades by determined industry

Synonyms & Similar Words

• effort
• diligence
• industriousness
• application
• persistence
• assiduity
• assiduousness
• attention
• concentration
• effortfulness
• attentiveness
• sedulity
• care
• sedulousness
• tenacity
• perseverance
• doggedness
• pains
• painstaking
• trouble
• bother
• tirelessness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• negligence
• carelessness
• idleness
• laziness
• slackness
• indolence

Synonym Chooser

How is the word industry distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of industry are business, commerce, trade, and traffic. While all these words mean "activity concerned with the supplying and distribution of commodities," industry applies to the producing of commodities, especially by manufacturing or processing, usually on a large scale.

When might business be a better fit than industry?

While the synonyms business and industry are close in meaning, business may be an inclusive term but specifically designates the activities of those engaged in the purchase or sale of commodities or in related financial transactions.

How do commerce and trade relate to one another, in the sense of industry?

Both commerce and trade imply the exchange and transportation of commodities.

When could traffic be used to replace industry?

The meanings of traffic and industry largely overlap; however, traffic applies to the operation and functioning of public carriers of goods and persons.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of industry

Since taking office, the mayor has mostly quieted his calls for a rent freeze, as many in the real estate industry have accused him of improperly seeking to influence the independent panel. —Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026

For music business observers, the most interesting aspect of the suit may lie in its detailed assertions about how much the Christian music (CCM) touring industry relies on alliances with charities to achieve a profit. —Chris Willman, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026

In the poll, 60% of respondents said Congress should focus on the insurance industry compared to other health care cost drivers. —Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 29 Apr. 2026

This growing reliance on such frameworks underscores the industry’s shift from symbolic commitments toward practical implementation of due diligence and credible sustainability practices. —Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 29 Apr. 2026