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Synonyms

conscientious

American  
[kon-shee-en-shuhs, kon-see-] / ˌkɒn ʃiˈɛn ʃəs, ˌkɒn si- /

adjective

  1. governed by conscience; controlled by or done according to one's inner sense of what is right; principled.

    She's a conscientious judge, who does not let personal prejudices influence her decisions.

    Synonyms:
    dedicated, devoted, faithful, honest, upright, just
  2. careful and painstaking; particular; meticulous; scrupulous.

    conscientious application to the work at hand.


conscientious British  
/ ˌkɒnʃɪˈɛnʃəs /

adjective

  1. involving or taking great care; painstaking; diligent

  2. governed by or done according to conscience

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See painstaking.

Other Word Forms

  • conscientiously adverb
  • conscientiousness noun
  • hyperconscientious adjective
  • hyperconscientiously adverb
  • hyperconscientiousness noun
  • overconscientious adjective
  • overconscientiously adverb
  • unconscientious adjective
  • unconscientiously adverb
  • unconscientiousness noun

Etymology

Origin of conscientious

First recorded in 1605–15; from Medieval Latin conscientiōsus, equivalent to Latin conscienti(a) conscience + -ōsus -ous

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Unlike the UK bill, the original Holyrood bill included a conscientious objection provision, stating that individuals or organisations must not be "subject to any detriment" if they opt out.

From BBC

Croatian officials have also been keen to point out that just 10 people have so far registered as conscientious objectors.

From BBC

"You have to be mindful and conscientious," she said, noting that last year's hosting gig in the shadow of deadly fires that devastated Los Angeles was a case in point.

From Barron's

He declared himself a conscientious objector during World War II. He was imprisoned, abandoned by his family and returned to Birmingham only to be further ostracized.

From The Wall Street Journal

A spontaneous jaunt like that is probably something he wouldn’t have done years ago, but “after a lifetime of being a conscientious spender and saver, it felt deserved,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal