Synonym Chooser

How is the word solicitude distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of solicitude are anxiety, care, concern, and worry. While all these words mean "a troubled or engrossed state of mind or the thing that causes this," solicitude implies great concern and connotes either thoughtful or hovering attentiveness toward another.

acted with typical maternal solicitude

When could anxiety be used to replace solicitude?

Although the words anxiety and solicitude have much in common, anxiety stresses anguished uncertainty or fear of misfortune or failure.

plagued by anxiety and self-doubt

In what contexts can care take the place of solicitude?

The words care and solicitude can be used in similar contexts, but care implies oppression of the mind weighed down by responsibility or disquieted by apprehension.

a face worn by years of care

When can concern be used instead of solicitude?

The words concern and solicitude are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, concern implies a troubled state of mind because of personal interest, relation, or affection.

crimes caused concern in the neighborhood

When is it sensible to use worry instead of solicitude?

The meanings of worry and solicitude largely overlap; however, 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 solicitude Nature has made this a necessity: Without constant care and solicitude, an infant will die. Roxana Robinson, TIME, 18 July 2024 This idea will add the inducements of philanthropy to those of patriotism, to heighten the solicitude which all considerate and good men must feel for the event. Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 30 May 2024 That’s surely what accounts for the solicitude that the cryptocurrency industry has been receiving from Congress. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2024 That may account for the thrust of many early corporate statements about the Hamas attack, which tended to express solicitude for Israeli employees and their families and reiterate commitment to the Israeli market. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2023 See All Example Sentences for solicitude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for solicitude
Noun
  • Tomatoes distributed to three U.S. states have been recalled due to concerns about possible salmonella contamination.
    Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 4 May 2025
  • Cost of living and climate concerns outweighed culture wars Australian voters put their faith in Albanese’s plans for tackling the high cost of living and climate change over Dutton’s Trump-style ideological approach, which at times did not appear to be backed by policy proposals.
    Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
Noun
  • The Albanian people deserve free elections, not another manipulated outcome enforced through fear and political imprisonment.
    Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2025
  • Madrid’s lack of defensive intensity means their opponents can progress upfield with little fear at times, knowing that Ancelotti’s forward line does not provide their team-mates the protection that comes with pressing from the front.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • Thousands of TikTok users were moved by their reunion and began sharing their own stories of silent kindness from strangers.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025
  • The results might not be visible immediately, but the children who are supported by the generosity of Build-a-Bear are more likely to become productive members of their communities — and perhaps continue passing along the kindness to others.
    Jaime Catmull, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
Noun
  • Sewing anxiety and confusion are usually first steps from Trump ahead of negotiation.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 5 May 2025
  • Annoying airport delays, congested highways and spiraling vacation costs can result in stress and anxiety.
    Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
Noun
  • What Yale New Haven Health is doing Yale New Haven Health brought in cybersecurity firm Mandiant to assist with the investigation and said a rapid response helped contain the incident and prevent any disruption to patient care.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 May 2025
  • This is our chance to do it, for the sake of our democracy to work with every Democrat to save child care, and make Gov. Ron DeSantis change his mind to save child care, and for even Sen. Rick Scott to join in this effort.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 May 2025
Noun
  • Another request that was also denied spelled out similar worries.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2025
  • But that worry has gone into overdrive upon learning that Carlos’ body was found in the Truckee River.
    Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • Meanwhile, polls show that the drop in Trump's approval ratings could be driven by unease about the state of the economy.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
  • On the mid to lower six-figure pitch where most Americans play, the majority of buyers are still spooked by punitive interest rates, stubborn inflation, and a legitimate unease about buying high.
    Peter Lane Taylor, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Solicitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solicitude. Accessed 16 May. 2025.

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