concern 1 of 2

Definition of concernnext

concern

2 of 2

verb

1
2
as in to affect
to be the business or affair of the problems of air and water pollution that concern all of us

Synonyms & Similar Words

3

Synonym Chooser

How is the word concern distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of concern are anxiety, care, solicitude, and worry. While all these words mean "a troubled or engrossed state of mind or the thing that causes this," concern implies a troubled state of mind because of personal interest, relation, or affection.

crimes caused concern in the neighborhood

When could anxiety be used to replace concern?

In some situations, the words anxiety and concern are roughly equivalent. However, anxiety stresses anguished uncertainty or fear of misfortune or failure.

plagued by anxiety and self-doubt

When is care a more appropriate choice than concern?

The words care and concern are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, care implies oppression of the mind weighed down by responsibility or disquieted by apprehension.

a face worn by years of care

When can solicitude be used instead of concern?

The synonyms solicitude and concern are sometimes interchangeable, but solicitude implies great concern and connotes either thoughtful or hovering attentiveness toward another.

acted with typical maternal solicitude

When is it sensible to use worry instead of concern?

While the synonyms worry and concern are close in meaning, worry suggests fretting over matters that may or may not be real cause for anxiety.

financial worries

How is the word concern distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of concern are anxiety, care, solicitude, and worry. While all these words mean "a troubled or engrossed state of mind or the thing that causes this," concern implies a troubled state of mind because of personal interest, relation, or affection.

crimes caused concern in the neighborhood

When could anxiety be used to replace concern?

In some situations, the words anxiety and concern are roughly equivalent. However, anxiety stresses anguished uncertainty or fear of misfortune or failure.

plagued by anxiety and self-doubt

When is care a more appropriate choice than concern?

The words care and concern are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, care implies oppression of the mind weighed down by responsibility or disquieted by apprehension.

a face worn by years of care

When can solicitude be used instead of concern?

The synonyms solicitude and concern are sometimes interchangeable, but solicitude implies great concern and connotes either thoughtful or hovering attentiveness toward another.

acted with typical maternal solicitude

When is it sensible to use worry instead of concern?

While the synonyms worry and concern are close in meaning, 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 concern
Noun
Justices asked about the legal basis for the order and voiced more practical concerns. Mark Sherman, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026 Trump’s shift represents his concern over the war’s economic fallout, Bloomberg argued, and his realization that events are no longer under his control. Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
The Patriots’ run of championships, and the intrigue concerning head coach Bill Belichick, quarterback Tom Brady and Bob Kraft, has already supplied material for countless books, series and films. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026 The Mirror, which first reported the sacking, indicated the underlying allegation concerns a historic relationship. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for concern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for concern
Noun
  • The Los Angeles Rams and Green Bay Packers are reportedly showing interest in signing him.
    Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Subscribe now Global interest has been rising sharply in India's data center space, amid increasing artificial intelligence workloads.
    Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Some of Bondi's allies believe that the lack of prosecutions is attributable to Blanche, who has not pushed them too hard amid political concerns and worries about his future after his Justice Department career.
    Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The electric carmaker last week reported its first decline in annual profit since 2022, but worries over rising gasoline prices has boosted its business.
    Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Don't go into a basement, or any room, if water covers the electrical outlets or if cords are submerged.
    KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Around 450,000 Kentuckians currently participate in the expansion, but health care advocacy groups say changes to the program could impact all Medicaid patients, not just those covered under ACA.
    Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Part of that planning includes working through real-world complications, such as major construction projects that impact affect evacuations.
    Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
  • What these Western states do affect each other and the national conversation about public-lands politics.
    Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • At Brookhurst and Magnolia streets, construction was stopped so nearby birds that were nesting weren’t bothered.
    Jim Radcliffe, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Throughout the day, jot down any worries that are bothering you, particularly the ones that keep popping up.
    Andee Tagle, NPR, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The White House has released a list of 37 donors that includes companies like Amazon, Apple, Caterpillar, Coinbase, Google, Comcast, HP, Lockheed Martin, Meta, Microsoft, T-Mobile and Union Pacific Railroad, it but hasn't specified the amount contributed.
    Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Scream Queens vegan ice cream company will serve root beer floats and other food and coffee vendors also will be on hand.
    Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Rabbi Irwin Kula, the panel’s moderator, asked the participants to describe their biggest fear or nightmare.
    Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Sacramento community advocates are sounding the alarm over fears of deep city budget cuts that could impact public safety.
    Steve Large, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Other tips include riding defensively around cars, using front and rear lights, wearing reflective vests in the dark, and avoiding biking under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
    Sarah Raza, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Some Brookhill attractions include Inner Peaks Climbing Center, an indoor rock-climbing facility, Puttery, an indoor mini-golf bar for adults and bars such as Pins Mechanical, a social spot with a retro arcade and other games.
    Chase Jordan March 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Concern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/concern. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

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