conscientious
adjective
Did you know?
According to American writer and editor H. L. Mencken, "Conscience is the inner voice which warns us someone may be looking." A person who is conscientious makes sure that if others are watching, they approve of what they see. This is true for someone who is “governed by their conscience” as the oldest sense of the word is defined—as in “a conscientious objector to the war”—but it is also true for the conscientious person paying close, careful attention to the task at hand. Conscientious came to English from French, centuries after Middle English had adopted conscience from Old French; both ultimately come from Latin scire, “to know.”
Synonyms
- conscionable
- ethical
- honest
- honorable
- just
- moral
- principled
- scrupulous
Example Sentences
Tom Clancy, Without Remorse, 1994 Because Puckett was a conscientious lieutenant … his men did not have to stint on their fire. He had made sure that every man was carrying a basic load of ammunition and then some to spare … Neil Sheehan, A Bright Shining Lie, 1988 He was shifty about money matters, not conscientious about returning advances, fulfilling contracts, reading manuscripts. Monroe K. Spears, American Ambitions, 1987 She has always been a very conscientious worker. He was conscientious about following the doctor's orders. Annie Lane, cleveland, 7 Sep. 2022 The film follows Narvel Roth (Edgerton), the conscientious horticulturist of the historic Gracewood Gardens estate, which is owned by wealthy dowager Norma Haverhill (Weaver). Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Sep. 2022 La guerre est finie is the most exquisite, conscientious political movie ever made. Armond White, National Review, 26 Aug. 2022 While Doss viewed himself not as a conscientious objector, but a conscientious cooperator, his fellow infantrymen and superiors did not see it that way. Mike Miller, Peoplemag, 14 Aug. 2022 Even the most conscientious parent will be up against a culture that exalts athletic achievement. Linda Flanagan, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2022 Although more conscientious efforts towards funding for women continue to increase, the statistics are still staggering, especially for Black women. Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 27 Apr. 2022 And even the most conscientious of those agencies are grappling with an inconsistent patchwork of disclosures from companies. Katherine Dunn, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2021 Passengers can do their part by making conscientious decisions before and during flights. Andrea Sachs, Washington Post, 15 July 2022 See More Word History
see conscience
1603, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Phrases Containing conscientious
Kids Definition
conscientious
adjective
conscientious
adjective
Synonyms & Similar Words
- honorable
- ethical
- honest
- scrupulous
- moral
- responsible
- principled
- good
- respectful
- conscionable
- worthy
- dutiful
- virtuous
- just
- decent
- reliable
- observant
- true
- righteous
- respected
- trustworthy
- right-minded
- upright
- reputable
- straight
- upstanding
- overconscientious
- solid
- esteemed
- trusty
- law-abiding
- tried-and-true
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unscrupulous
- dishonest
- unethical
- unprincipled
- immoral
- unconscionable
- dishonorable
- unjust
- bad
- evil
- immoral
- wicked
- sinful
- cutthroat
- unrighteous
- unreliable
- indecent
- untrustworthy
- depraved
- perverted
- dissolute
- evil-minded
- corrupt
- debased
- degenerate
- debauched
- villainous
- vicious
- atrocious
- low
- infamous
- vile
- mean
- nefarious
- iniquitous
- reprobate
- base
Synonyms & Similar Words
- meticulous
- careful
- loving
- diligent
- scrupulous
- thorough
- cautious
- painstaking
- patient
- thoughtful
- assiduous
- intensive
- vigilant
- indefatigable
- watchful
- persevering
- fussy
- mindful
- attentive
- sedulous
- observant
- strict
- thoroughgoing
- circumspect
- zealous
- fastidious
- particular
- wary
- exhaustive
- deliberate
- finicky
- heedful
- accurate
- tireless
- discriminating
- critical
- tenacious
- determined
- chary
- guarded
- precise
- alert
- studied
- demanding
- exacting
- slow
- gingerly
- plodding
- dogged
- exact
- all-out
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- careless
- negligent
- inattentive
- incautious
- slovenly
- heedless
- regardless
- neglectful
- halfhearted
- mindless
- cursory
- unsafe
- uncritical
- lax
- unwary
- sloppy
- slipshod
- reckless
- impetuous
- unguarded
- undiscriminating
- indifferent
- imprecise
- lazy
- apathetic
- inaccurate
- bold
- lackadaisical
- undemanding
- rash
- lazyish
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of conscientious are honest, honorable, just, scrupulous, and upright. While all these words mean "having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right," conscientious and scrupulous imply an active moral sense governing all one's actions and painstaking efforts to follow one's conscience.
Although the words honest and conscientious have much in common, honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness.
The synonyms honorable and conscientious are sometimes interchangeable, but honorable suggests a firm holding to codes of right behavior and the guidance of a high sense of honor and duty.
The words just and conscientious can be used in similar contexts, but just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable.
In some situations, the words upright and conscientious are roughly equivalent. However, upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles.