care 1 of 2

Definition of carenext
1
2
as in concern
attention accompanied by protectiveness and responsibility that's an extremely valuable violin, so handle it with care

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in custody
responsibility for the safety and well-being of someone or something while you're under my care, you'll do as you're told

Synonyms & Similar Words

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care

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verb

as in to watch
to have an interest or concern for a teacher who cares what happens to her students long after they leave her classroom

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word care distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of care are anxiety, concern, solicitude, and worry. While all these words mean "a troubled or engrossed state of mind or the thing that causes this," care implies oppression of the mind weighed down by responsibility or disquieted by apprehension.

a face worn by years of care

When can anxiety be used instead of care?

The meanings of anxiety and care largely overlap; however, anxiety stresses anguished uncertainty or fear of misfortune or failure.

plagued by anxiety and self-doubt

When might concern be a better fit than care?

While in some cases nearly identical to care, concern implies a troubled state of mind because of personal interest, relation, or affection.

crimes caused concern in the neighborhood

When would solicitude be a good substitute for care?

Although the words solicitude and care have much in common, solicitude implies great concern and connotes either thoughtful or hovering attentiveness toward another.

acted with typical maternal solicitude

Where would worry be a reasonable alternative to care?

The words worry and care are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, worry suggests fretting over matters that may or may not be real cause for anxiety.

financial worries

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of care
Noun
However, special care is needed when freezing and thawing hummus to preserve its flavor and smooth texture and prevent it from becoming grainy. Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 25 May 2026 Invest in early care The three recommendations stem from work by Montgomery Moving Forward, a 13-year-old organization that will dissolve this summer. William J. Ford, Baltimore Sun, 25 May 2026
Verb
The frustration is real; people do not feel that PG&E cares about rate payers. Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 26 May 2026 Does Acho care if LeBron or Booker divide the locker room? Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for care
Recent Examples of Synonyms for care
Noun
  • Earlier, Mars square Pluto may stir tension around creativity, money, attention, or control.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 26 May 2026
  • The state’s June 2 primary has galvanized public attention on the first phase of the state’s 2026 election cycle.
    Marc Malkin, Variety, 26 May 2026
Noun
  • Officials have described the overhaul as a long-overdue restoration effort aimed at addressing decades of deferred maintenance, including deteriorating infrastructure, water damage, failing HVAC systems and structural concerns throughout the building.
    Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 28 May 2026
  • Earlier polls had raised Democratic concerns that a crowded field could split the party’s vote and allow Hilton and Bianco, the two leading Republicans, to advance.
    John Woolfolk, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
Noun
  • There was no carefulness in it.
    Zack Meisel, New York Times, 1 May 2026
  • Organizations can benefit by valuing carefulness and concentration not as an obligation, but as a fundamental pillar of success.
    Heather V. MacArthur, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • While there were some concerns about Clark’s availability leading into last week’s Fever-Valkyries game, those worries proved short-lived.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 28 May 2026
  • There was a worry that Anunoby would once again miss a significant amount of time in the playoffs due to injury.
    James L. Edwards III, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Noun
  • Once a legal case is filed, then the state actually takes custody of the kids.
    Dana Taylor, USA Today, 26 May 2026
  • The divorcing couple had been involved in a bitter custody fight over their teenage son.
    News Desk, Artforum, 26 May 2026
Noun
  • When God charged Adam with dominion over the garden, the word that matters — the word Pettigrew keeps returning to — is stewardship.
    Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
  • Proceeds benefit 17 nonprofit organizations across North County, supporting initiatives in youth development, education, the arts, environmental stewardship, animal welfare, and community wellness.
    Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2026
Noun
  • That means repairing seawalls and bolstering shorelines, restoring wetlands, improving stormwater management and drainage, ensuring clean lakes, hardening infrastructure, and keeping homes and roadways out of the water.
    Anna V. Eskamani, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2026
  • This includes the cost of acquiring lands, construction costs, preconstruction engineering and design, construction management and contingencies, according to the plan.
    Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 23 May 2026
Verb
  • And Wrobleski nodded, as if in acceptance, before turning to watch the ball fly over the wall in center field for a solo homer.
    Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
  • As Toomey looked for a seat to watch the race that day at Balboa Stadium, he was spotted by his old cross-country coach at Palo Alto High School, Forrest Jamieson.
    Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 30 May 2026

Cite this Entry

“Care.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/care. Accessed 30 May. 2026.

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