Another word for hard working
The best other words for hard working are diligent, arduous, industrious and assiduous.
- Most formal
- assiduous, indefatigable, diligent
- Strongest
- indefatigable, backbreaking, assiduous
- Casual
- exhausting, backbreaking
- Instead of “very hardworking”
- diligent, industrious, conscientious
Hard working /ˈhɑrd ˈwɝkɪŋ/ (adjective): Diligent and willing to put in a lot of effort to get work done. In simple words: Working with a lot of effort and not giving up. Below are 14 rated synonyms across 2 senses, plus 38 more related words. Tap a chip for its nuance and an example.
14 synonyms shown
Diligent worker · adjective
puts in steady effort
Physically laborious · adjective
involving heavy physical effort
Find the right strength and register
Drag the amber target to how strong and how formal you need the word to be. The three closest synonyms light up.
You asked for: equal strength, neutral register
- dedicated — emphasizes commitment as well as effort
- devoted — stronger sense of loyalty and commitment
- diligent — more formal and focused on careful effort
The dashed ring marks “hard working” itself: neutral strength, neutral register.
Synonyms for hard working in your sentence
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How to choose
For a neutral compliment, diligent or dedicated usually sounds most natural. Choose industrious or conscientious for a slightly more formal tone, and use backbreaking or exhausting only when you want to emphasize physical strain rather than work ethic.
Antonyms of hard working
- lazy
- idle
- indolent
- slothful
- unmotivated
- slack
- easygoing
All synonyms at a glance
| Synonym | Strength | Formality | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| diligent | 3/5 | formal | academic, business, creative, casual |
| industrious | 3/5 | formal | academic, business, creative |
| assiduous | 4/5 | academic | academic, business, creative |
| dedicated | 3/5 | neutral | academic, business, creative, casual |
| devoted | 3/5 | neutral | academic, business, creative, casual |
| earnest | 2/5 | neutral | academic, business, creative, casual |
| conscientious | 3/5 | formal | academic, business, creative |
| indefatigable | 5/5 | academic | academic, creative |
| strenuous | 4/5 | neutral | academic, business, creative, casual |
| arduous | 4/5 | formal | academic, business, creative |
| taxing | 4/5 | neutral | academic, business, creative, casual |
| exhausting | 4/5 | casual | business, creative, casual |
| backbreaking | 5/5 | casual | business, creative, casual |
| laborious | 4/5 | formal | academic, business, creative |
Instead of “very hard working”
One precise word usually beats an intensifier. See the full words instead of “very” list.
| Instead of | Try |
|---|---|
| very hardworking | diligent, industrious, conscientious |
| really hardworking | dedicated, devoted, assiduous |
More words related to hard working
Looser matches and phrases, unrated. Check the sense before you swap one in, or compare it with “hard working”.
- hardworking
- busy
- active
- productive
- effective
- efficient
- thorough
- persistent
- persevering
- tenacious
- determined
- ambitious
- energetic
- untiring
- unflagging
- painstaking
- exacting
- toilsome
- grueling
- slog
- grind
- toil
- drudgery
- manual labor
- physical labor
- heavy labor
- back-breaking work
- hard graft
- plug away
- put in the hours
- keep at it
- give it one's all
- labour-intensive
- heavy-duty
- rule-breaking
- conscientious worker
- duty-bound
- self-sacrificing
Questions about synonyms for hard working
What is the most formal or academic synonym for hard working?
Indefatigable is the most elevated choice, but it sounds literary or formal rather than everyday. In academic or professional writing, diligent, conscientious, or assiduous are usually safer and more natural.
What is a stronger or milder alternative to hard working?
Stronger options include indefatigable, assiduous, and backbreaking depending on whether you mean effort or labor. Milder choices include diligent and dedicated, which praise steady effort without sounding extreme.
Is hard working the same as diligent?
They overlap closely, but diligent often suggests careful, attentive effort, while hard working is broader and more conversational. A person can be hard working without being especially meticulous.
What is a more professional word for hard working?
Common professional alternatives include diligent, conscientious, and industrious. These sound polished and work well in resumes, evaluations, and formal writing.
What can I say instead of hard working?
You can say diligent, hardworking, dedicated, or industrious, depending on the tone you want. For physical work, phrases like labor-intensive or physically demanding may fit better.