concern 1 of 2

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

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
Many consumers also have voiced concern about having to plug the vehicle in. Michael Wayland, CNBC, 28 May 2025 While the insurance industry is not opposed to a study, the way this legislation is structured raises serious concerns. Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
Verb
The traffic alert was released Monday at 3:18 p.m., and the last update concerning this incident was provided on Monday at 3:20 p.m. Kansas City Star, 26 May 2025 Miami has been vulnerable on set pieces all season, a recurring issue that concerns Mascherano. Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 25 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for concern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for concern
Noun
  • Commissioner Greg Sankey says interest in a 16-team playoff has increased in the SEC, but cautioned that while there has been much chatter about College Football Playoff models that include multiple automatic bids for conferences, those formats might actually sell his league short.
    Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 27 May 2025
  • Their purpose is to serve the public interest in the name of the public.
    Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2025
Noun
  • The letter is a sign of growing ties between religious and AI safety groups, which share some of the same worries.
    Billy Perrigo, Time, 21 May 2025
  • But for Americans on the Gulf or Atlantic coasts, the daily weather forecast always comes with a constant thrum of worry — any small disturbance in the Atlantic has the potential to evolve into a major storm.
    Sabrina B. Valenti, Sun Sentinel, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • Matt previously spent several years covering Palace matches for the South London Press and contributing to other publications as a freelance writer.
    Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • Lopez also wore a royal blue strapless gown with exaggerated hips that was covered in sequins.
    Rachel Flynn, People.com, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • Some have said that the dollar’s reserve currency status may be affected, perhaps diminished somewhat – which would have many ramifications, including a rise in the cost to the U.S. for financing its deficits.
    George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • Young boys’ development seems to have been particularly affected.
    Claire Cain Miller, New York Times, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • After years of ‘losing culture,’ can the new-look Chicago Bears turn things around on defense? Chicago Bears safety Kevin Byard didn’t bother mincing words.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
  • Users do have to purchase such gadgets, learn how to utilize them, and put them on their body, however, which are all steps that many folks simply won't bother taking.
    Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 26 May 2025
Noun
  • And with good reason: 88% of customers say the experience a company provides is as important as the product itself.
    Jean-Louis Rassineux, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • In the earnings call earlier this month, Zimmerman said the company was going through a corporate restructuring and had eliminated multiple senior executive positions.
    Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • Some of this fear is rooted in social comparison, but much of it is tied to daily concerns about funding retirement accounts and covering child care costs.
    Eliza Brooke, Vox, 23 May 2025
  • While on the stand, Ventura also opened up about dating Mescudi for a short period, but allegedly having to break it off out of fear of Combs' reaction.
    Jordana Comiter, People.com, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • The impressive ensemble cast also includes Regina King, Margaret Qualley, Amy Brenneman, Liv Tyler, and Ann Dowd.
    Barry Levitt, Time, 26 May 2025
  • Treatment options include home care, supportive therapies, medications, and, in some cases, surgery.
    Brandi Jones, Health, 25 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Concern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/concern. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on concern

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!