Diligence
What it means
Steady, attentive effort that keeps work accurate and complete.
Reach for it when praising care sustained through a demanding responsibility
Rosa's diligence uncovered two mismatched figures before the report was signed.
Words to choose between 7
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| professional |
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| formal | |
| literary |
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everyday
Fits when close attention matters without implying long effort
Careful Care may last only a moment, while diligence continues until the work is sound.
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everyday
persistence
Fits when continuing despite delay is the chief strength
Careful Persistence can repeat a poor method instead of checking details carefully.
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professional
attention to detail
Fits when precision in small points deserves explicit praise
Careful Detail work alone does not show reliable follow-through over time.
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professional
Fits when complete coverage is the measurable virtue
Careful A thorough process can be slow or mechanical without showing persistent application.
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formal
conscientiousness
Fits when responsibility and moral seriousness motivate the work
Careful Conscientiousness describes character more broadly than effort on one task.
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formal
industry
Fits when energetic habitual work is being commended
Careful Industry emphasizes activity and may overlook accuracy.
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literary
assiduity
Fits when tireless application suits elevated prose
Careful The rare term may hide a compliment that diligence states clearly.
Opposites 3
- negligence
- carelessness
- idleness
Common phrases 3
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due diligence
The trustees completed due diligence before accepting the land.
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show diligence
You show diligence whenever you verify a surprising result twice.
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reward diligence
The apprenticeship should reward diligence as well as speed.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated