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busy

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verb

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a busy place
a bustling place
a lively place
a hectic place
a crowded place
a congested place
a busy intersection
a bustling intersection
a crowded intersection
a congested intersection
a jammed intersection
a hectic intersection
a busy week
a hectic week
an eventful week
a productive week
a big week
a long week

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

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
From Trump's order on birthright citizenship to the creation of his budget slashing Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), federal judges have been busy imposing restraining orders. David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025 The English automaker has been very busy with new cars in recent years, unveiling a new Vantage last year, a new Vanquish, and, in 2023, the DB12. Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
Sheltering at the Iron Horse In Hot Springs, a river town of 520 residents at the confluence of Spring Creek and the French Broad, Connor Goss busied himself with canceling reservations at the Iron Horse Station and processing refunds. Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024 So how can busy parents make creativity a part of daily life for their children? Mia Taylor, Parents, 1 Aug. 2024 See All Example Sentences for busy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for busy
Adjective
  • Turn passing glances into engaged followers by speaking directly to their immediate concerns.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
  • After meeting online and falling in love, Jay and Pamela are engaged and live together with Jay’s parents.
    Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • As this strategy becomes more widespread, expect influential people to be inundated with similar requests (so if this strategy interests you, get started now).
    Nick Brown, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Nothing and nobody could have interested George more than Ahmet did.
    Ian Frazier, The New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The two sides worked together to create a more diligent plan.
    Cody Stavenhagen, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025
  • Prabhu’s diligent younger brother Venkati (Natesh) plans to marry Malabari’s sister Devaki (Bindu Raxidi), but the caste inequity between their families is sure to eventually rear its head.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Muse Maggie Maurer was photographed in a series of vibrant settings, each thoughtfully chosen to reflect the rich palette of the collection, reinforcing color as a cornerstone of the brand’s identity.
    Felicity Carter, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Made from a gorgeous faux-leather material and available in 17 vibrant colors, this passport protector will easily slot into any pocket of your purse while preserving the exterior of your ID.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • For one, Barber and Sweetin co-signed one fan’s take describing the youngest Tanner sibling, Michelle (played by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen) as increasingly annoying and borderline spoiled as the series went on.
    John Russell, People.com, 21 Feb. 2025
  • This is occasionally annoying (or more than occasionally).
    Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 20 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Oleksandr Prokudin, head of Ukraine’s southern Kherson region, which was mostly occupied by Russia early in the war but later partially retaken by Ukrainian forces, said three years of war had hardened his countrymen to the ups and downs of the fight to survive.
    Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2025
  • The property occupies a sizable 7,500-square-foot lot.
    Bay Area Home Report, The Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • This northern autonomous community of Spain is sophisticated, innovative and thriving — and its film sector is no different.
    Jennifer Green, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Feb. 2025
  • In the modern workforce context, this approach is the key to unlocking teams’ full potential and championing a thriving future.
    Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • There’s something officious about Alden Ehrenreich.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Jan. 2023
  • Her charming luxury treasure trove has none of that officious chilliness that defines the typical store of its ilk but instead feels like a brocanterie crammed with interesting, unexpected luxury goods from across the world.
    Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 2 Jan. 2023

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Cite this Entry

“Busy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/busy. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.

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