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

Examples 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 Wexner may also have enjoyed a certain amount of solicitude from Harvard associated with his relationship with Epstein. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2023 Those suspicions were revived this month with the disclosure that the Saudi Arabian regime, toward which Trump showed great solicitude, has made a $2-billion investment in a fund operated by Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who worked as a member of the White House staff. Michael Hiltzikbusiness Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2022 Avedon wanted not only to detect the pulse, with a physician’s intimate solicitude, but to amplify and announce it, like a town crier. Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2023 Their nests, those altars of parental solicitude proudly built by other birds, are often slipshod affairs. Christoph Irmscher, WSJ, 3 Feb. 2023 See all Example Sentences for solicitude 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for solicitude
Noun
  • Phillips had launched a primary challenge against President Joe Biden over concerns about his electability due to his age, and the outgoing congressman was critical of party leadership for sticking with the president.
    Jack Birle, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Dec. 2024
  • Safety is also a concern, to ensure edtech projects aren’t putting student data at risk in a war zone.
    Nicholas Gordon, Fortune Asia, 29 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • At the same time, each movement evokes the fear and despair and endurance that defined his experience as a prisoner.
    Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 30 Dec. 2024
  • Read More: How Tech Giants Turned Ukraine Into an AI War Lab Swift’s fears were shared by many of her young fans, who are coming of age in a generation that seems to be bearing the brunt of technology’s harms.
    Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 30 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • There’s no substitute for hard work, resilience, kindness, standing up for and with folks in their weaker moments and knowing when to take it on the chin and when to give it.
    Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
  • Additionally, staying connected with those who refuse to change (perhaps out of trauma bonding, fear or even just kindness) can keep you stuck in the cycle of dysfunction.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • On one side, parents share haunting stories of depression, anxiety, and eating disorders and blame ...
    Edward Longe, National Review, 18 Dec. 2024
  • Cycling anxiety thoughts in the middle of the night.
    Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • More Americans are being infected with seasonal influenza and seeking care, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.
    Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 27 Dec. 2024
  • Nonprofit organizations must work with community partners, families and stakeholders to reimagine a child care system that is accessible, equitable and publicly funded to ensure every child can thrive from the start.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Flash forward to the start of the season, and those worries were pushed aside after a 12-4-1 start to the campaign.
    Tyler Small, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
  • Until this month, these worries have been purely theoretical.
    Billy Perrigo, TIME, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Sitting with the images can bring on a creeping sense of unease.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN, 18 Dec. 2024
  • Resident James Edwards of Succasunna expressed unease, urging calm amid speculation.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near solicitude

Cite this Entry

“Solicitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solicitude. Accessed 2 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on solicitude

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