care 1 of 2

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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
These products also have much more evidence of their usefulness in skin care. Health, 14 July 2025 Ironically, outpatient care—which is more affordable than hospital care—is often the hardest to get. Rachel Pearson, New Yorker, 13 July 2025
Verb
The hospital is already limited by the gap between what Medicaid reimburses it for services versus what that care actually costs to provide, said Lurie CEO Dr. Tom Shanley. Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2025 Call it pixie dust, projection, illusion, artifice — who really cares? Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for care
Recent Examples of Synonyms for care
Noun
  • Big races, like the Boxing Day Race, sell out quickly, and for a couple of hours, the island’s attention shifts from its relaxing beaches to the excitement of the racetrack.
    Ana Sotelo, The Dial, 8 July 2025
  • Borden was eventually acquitted of the crimes, but the brutal nature of the murders attracted nationwide attention and contributed to Borden’s place in popular culture.
    Joe Otterson, Variety, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • In seconds, content appears without shipping or physical storage concerns.
    Vikrant Shaurya, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • Of the eight which were understood at the time to be complaints or concerns: four were raised to both the production company and the BBC, two were raised only with the production company and two were raised only with the BBC.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • Their visits to the ophthalmologist are now every six months, but Maggie admits the worry never quite fades.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 7 July 2025
  • Meanwhile, there was hand-wringing in the NASCAR garage over headlines about high crime and worries about whether the Cup Series cars would be able to have a good show on such a narrow course.
    Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 6 July 2025
Noun
  • The review also concluded that Epstein died by suicide while in custody at a Manhattan correctional facility in August 2019.
    Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 7 July 2025
  • The mogul — who has been in jail since September 2024 — was denied bail by Judge Arun Subramanian during the July 2 court date and will therefore have to remain in custody at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center until his sentencing on Oct. 3.
    Toria Sheffield, People.com, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • His stewardship of the state during the COVID-19 pandemic was roundly criticized as overreach by Republicans with some municipal leaders ignoring business shutdown orders.
    Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
  • Trade chips Under the stewardship of president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford and general manager Patrik Allvin, the Canucks have generally been an aggressive team on the trade market.
    Thomas Drance, New York Times, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • Girls may, for example, struggle with time management, daydreaming or being a chatterbox and are more likely to be diagnosed with the primarily inattentive type of ADHD over the hyperactive type.
    Daliah Singer, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 July 2025
  • Emotional intelligence and the soft skills necessary to inspire hope are often seen as part of culture or talent management, rather than leveraged as strategic assets.
    Camille Nicita, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • More Amazon Prime Day shopping inspo coming at you in 3, 2, 1: Now, watch KATSEYE spill secrets: Shop all of our latest obsessions in one place!
    Allure, Allure, 8 July 2025
  • Other players to watch include DeMarvin Leal, a 2022 third-round pick who never carved out a niche as a tweener on the defense front, and Cole Holcomb, who was once a do-everything, three-down inside linebacker before a gruesome knee injury derailed his career in 2023.
    Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • There was residual smoke in the aircraft and the situation was declared an emergency out of an abundance of caution, Delta said.
    July 7, CBS News, 7 July 2025
  • Though he’s recovered much faster this time, his manager’s frequent refrain in recent weeks has been one of caution.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 7 July 2025

Cite this Entry

“Care.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/care. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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