Synonyms of industry

industry

noun

ˈin-(ˌ)də-strē 

as in effort

attentive and persistent effort

he isn't the smartest kid in class, but he gets the best grades by determined industry

Synonyms & Similar Words

• effort
• diligence
• industriousness
• application
• persistence
• assiduity
• assiduousness
• attention
• concentration
• effortfulness
• attentiveness
• sedulity
• care
• sedulousness
• tenacity
• perseverance
• doggedness
• pains
• painstaking
• trouble
• bother
• tirelessness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• negligence
• carelessness
• idleness
• laziness
• slackness
• indolence

Synonym Chooser

How is the word industry distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of industry are business, commerce, trade, and traffic. While all these words mean "activity concerned with the supplying and distribution of commodities," industry applies to the producing of commodities, especially by manufacturing or processing, usually on a large scale.

When might business be a better fit than industry?

While the synonyms business and industry are close in meaning, business may be an inclusive term but specifically designates the activities of those engaged in the purchase or sale of commodities or in related financial transactions.

How do commerce and trade relate to one another, in the sense of industry?

Both commerce and trade imply the exchange and transportation of commodities.

When could traffic be used to replace industry?

The meanings of traffic and industry largely overlap; however, traffic applies to the operation and functioning of public carriers of goods and persons.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of industry

That’s one of the most pressing challenges for the industry, and there’s no guarantee of success. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 6 Oct. 2026

What are Republican Leigh Wambsganss and Democratic Taylor Rehmet’s plans for the industry if elected to the Texas Senate? — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Oct. 2026

The two friends are perfect examples of how the licensed and unlicensed apparel industries can co-exist, supplementing and reinforcing one another within the greater merchandising ecosystem. — Matt Martell, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026

But that’s easier said than done in an industry that’s accustomed to shipping films, not software updates. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026