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 Web
David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 13 Jan. 2025
Does the selling company have sufficient financial resources to both continue operating in the ordinary course and cover its transaction expenses between the time of diligence and the anticipated closing date of the acquisition?
5.
—Allbusiness, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
Their diligence made the opening goal of the game all the more remarkable: part glitch in the visitors’ defensive execution, part genius from Palmer.
—Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
Dafoe is also an actor’s actor, respected for the mix of diligence and curiosity that drives his career choices.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for diligence 
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Noun
Owing mostly to the lack of diligence, Layton got a one-year suspension that began Dec. 27.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 13 Jan. 2025
Does the selling company have sufficient financial resources to both continue operating in the ordinary course and cover its transaction expenses between the time of diligence and the anticipated closing date of the acquisition?
5.
—Allbusiness, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
Their diligence made the opening goal of the game all the more remarkable: part glitch in the visitors’ defensive execution, part genius from Palmer.
—Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
Dafoe is also an actor’s actor, respected for the mix of diligence and curiosity that drives his career choices.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for diligence
Articles Related to diligence
Dictionary Entries Near diligence
Cite this Entry
“Diligence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diligence. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.
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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