Diligent Synonym Guide — Definition, Antonyms & Examples.

Diligent means “hardworking and focused.” A synonym for diligent is the word “meticulous.” This article is a comprehensive guide covering other synonyms and the popular antonyms of the word. It also includes sentences with the word in use.

Definition of Diligent

Diligent is an adjective borrowed from Middle English diligent, Old French diligent, andLatin dīligēns (“attentive”). Diligent describes the quality of being consistent in accomplishing something. i.e., A diligent student. It also connotes doing or pursuing something with persevering attention, i.e., A diligent search of the files.

‘Diligent’ means “quietly and steadily persevering,” i.e., Moses is a diligent worker. When one does something diligently, they exercise caution or show care and attention. I diligently answered all the questions.

Sentence Examples

• I haven’t seen anyone as diligent as David.
• My company rewards the most diligent staff with six months of paid vacation.
• Henceforth, we will only employ diligent workers.
• Until you become diligent with your studies, you might not graduate.
• My father is a diligent man who always keeps his word.
• A diligent individual will eventually succeed.
• While some children are diligent, many lack patience.
• I’m a fan of being diligent in life.
• You have to be diligent to complete the 50-page task.
• I am very diligent with my duties and never have time to relax.

Synonym for Diligent — Exploring Words with Similar Meanings.

Words with similar meanings as ‘diligent’ include hardworking, meticulous, sedulous, rigorous, thorough, painstaking, earnest, zealous, and active.

1. Industrious

The term originates from Middle French industrieux, Late Latin industriosus (“active”), and Latin industria (“diligence, industry”). It means hardworking and persistent.

• David is the most industrious worker in the company.
• The interview revealed how industrious Michelle could be.

2. Assiduous

The term is from Latin assiduus from assidere (“to sit down to”), from ad- (“to”) + sedere (“to sit”). Assiduous describes the quality of exhibiting great effort and hard work towards achieving something. It also means showing care and attention to something.

• They were assiduous in their search for all the latest facts and figures.
• The project requires some assiduous planning.
• Nathan tended his garden with assiduous attention.

3. Careful

The term originates from Old English carful; equivalent to care +‎ -ful. It means the painstaking effort to avoid errors or omissions.

• The police made a careful examination of the scene.
• You can never be too careful about these things.

4. Earnest

‘Earnest’ is a synonym for diligent. It is from Middle English eornest, andOld English eornoste (“zealous, serious”). Earnest is characterized by or proceeding from an intense and serious state of mind.

• I will only accept an earnest apology from you.
• The criminal tendered an earnest plea for forgiveness.

5. Serious

The term is from Old French serieux, Medieval Latin sēriōsus, and Proto-Indo-European *swer- (“heavy”). Serious means “without humor or expression of happiness; important.”

• Crime is a serious problem in this neighborhood.
• If you want to be rich, you have to be serious about life.

Antonyms for Diligent — Exploring Words with Opposite Meanings.

1. Lazy

Lazy is from Proto-Germanic *lasiwaz, *laskaz (“feeble, weak”) and Old English lesu, lysu (“false, evil, base”). Lazy connotes the unwillingness to work or use energy, characterized by a lack of effort or activity.

• Helen is a very lazy child who avoids household chores.
• I have so much work to do yet; I feel so lazy.

2. Casual

Casual originates from Middle French casuel, Late Latin cāsuālis (“happening by chance”), and Latin cāsus (“event”). Casual describes a state of carelessness, relaxation, and showing no concern.

• Jerry made a casual remark about Lilian’s shoes.
• My brother is a casual fan of football.

3. Inactive

‘Inactive’ originates from French inactif. Also, from in + active. In- is a word-forming element meaning “not or opposite of.” Active derives from Old French actif and directly from Latin activus. Inactive means “not engaging in physical activity.”

To Wrap Up

The adjective ‘diligent’ describes someone who is sedulous and hardworking. Synonyms for the term include serious, earnest, assiduous, and meticulous. The word’s opposites include lazy, casual, and inactive. A thesaurus and dictionary offer many other synonyms for diligent.