Another word for hard working
Hard working (adjective): Diligent and willing to put in a lot of effort to get work done. Below are 14 synonyms across 2 senses. Tap a chip for its nuance and an example.
Most formal: assiduous, indefatigable, diligentStrongest: indefatigable, backbreaking, assiduous
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 |
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.