dil·i·gence
ˈdi-lə-jən(t)s 
1
a
: steady, earnest, and energetic effort : devoted and painstaking work and application to accomplish an undertaking : assiduity
showed great diligence in tracking down the story
He had earned universal respect for his integrity, fairness, and diligence.—
John L. Sanders
John L. Sanders2
law
: the attention and care legally expected or required of a person (such as a party to a contract) see also due diligence
di·li·gence
ˈdi-lə-ˌzhäⁿs
ˈdi-lə-jən(t)s
ˈdi-lə-jən(t)s
: stagecoach
The railway had driven coach companies out of business …. Once, the journey had taken three days by diligence.—Graham Robb
Graham RobbSynonyms
Examples of diligence in a Sentence
Noun (1)
through the diligence and ingenuity of a single detective, the gang's ringleader was finally caught
Recent Examples on the WebDom Amore, Hartford Courant, 8 June 2024
Commissioner O’Malley has done all this with diligence and speed, changing SSA’s policies and procedures faster than advocates have seen in generations.
—David Camp, Baltimore Sun, 3 May 2024
Manager advice often satisfies a key element of the Business Judgment Rule (good faith, no conflict of interest, and reasonable diligence), protecting volunteers from personal liability.
—Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2024
But also as with Mahomes, it’s all been fueled by diligence and the execution that can only come with honoring the work.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for diligence 
Noun
His professionalism, diligence and integrity across all those years was a shining example to journalist’s young and old who have been around him.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 8 June 2024
Commissioner O’Malley has done all this with diligence and speed, changing SSA’s policies and procedures faster than advocates have seen in generations.
—David Camp, Baltimore Sun, 3 May 2024
Manager advice often satisfies a key element of the Business Judgment Rule (good faith, no conflict of interest, and reasonable diligence), protecting volunteers from personal liability.
—Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2024
But also as with Mahomes, it’s all been fueled by diligence and the execution that can only come with honoring the work.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for diligence
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'diligence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Diligence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diligence. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
diligence
noun
dil·i·gence
ˈdi-lə-jəns
: earnest and persistent application of effort especially as required by law
also
: care sense 1 see also due diligence
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