conscientious

[ kon-shee-en-shuhs, kon-see- ]

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

/ ˌkɒnʃɪˈɛnʃəs /

adjective

1. involving or taking great care; painstaking; diligent
2. governed by or done according to conscience

Derived Forms

• ˌconsciˈentiously, adverb
• ˌconsciˈentiousness, noun

Other Words From

• consci·entious·ly adverb
• consci·entious·ness noun
• hyper·consci·entious adjective
• hyper·consci·entious·ly adverb
• hyper·consci·entious·ness noun
• over·consci·entious adjective
• over·consci·entious·ly adverb
• uncon·sci·entious adjective
• uncon·sci·entious·ly adverb
• uncon·sci·entious·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of conscientious¹

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

Synonym Study

See painstaking.

Example Sentences

Nonviolent Communication offers a conscientious look at emotional aspects of communication and considers how to embrace them in productive, good-faith exchange.

From Fortune

In April 2015, Morrison announced that the Christian Scientist and conscientious objector exemptions would be removed.

From Fortune

Police unions that protect rogue officers undermine and ultimately threaten the safety of conscientious officers and the public.

From Voice of San Diego

The government introduced the program when Morrison was Australia’s minister for social services, and in 2015, Morrison announced that “conscientious objector” exclusions from the immunization requirements would no longer be given out.

From Fortune

The World Wide Web is developing into an increasingly competitive place – advanced testing helps to give conscientious marketers a fighting chance.

From Search Engine Watch

“This is not about saving Christmas from the secularists, but rather from overly conscientious Christians,” Wilson writes.

From The Daily Beast

Her preparation sounds like normal due diligence by a conscientious executive for the task in hand.

From The Daily Beast

Early on, we had been conscientious about providing them with gender-neutral toys like blocks, balls, and puzzles.

From The Daily Beast

Thus spoke countless, earlier generations of failed, though no doubt principled and conscientious, revolutionaries.

From The Daily Beast

Ron, who was only 27 at the time, had been a conscientious objector.

From The Daily Beast

I suppose he is sick of the sound of them, or perhaps it is because he feels obliged to be conscientious in teaching Beethoven!

From Project Gutenberg

Keen and canny, they drive a close bargain but, scrupulous and conscientious, fulfil it faithfully.

From Project Gutenberg

It proceeds neither from wrath, that is, from the fear of their wrath, nor from a conscientious sense of obligation to obey them.

From Project Gutenberg

Not much intellect, but most conscientious and as faithful as an old watch dog.

From Project Gutenberg

His master may be a man of some conscientious scruples; ours may be unmerciful.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• honest
• honorable
• principled
• responsible
• scrupulous
• strict