concern 1 of 2

concern

2 of 2

verb

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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

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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
Long term effects and strategic autonomy Outside the U.S., there are concerns that, beyond short-term effects, tariffs could trigger deeper, longer-lasting changes to the space economy — and even realign international partnerships. Andrew Jones, Space.com, 9 Apr. 2025 As the transfer window ticked on and key targets joined other teams, internally, there was a concern about the quality of the squad and its ability to stay in the league. Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
This was concerning and also shocking because no one likes him. The Totally Football Show, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 They may also be concerned that the additional cost of tariffs could price out some potential buyers. Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for concern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for concern
Noun
  • Back in August, while promoting her horror film The Front Room, Brandy, 46, expressed interest in returning to the slasher franchise.
    Benjamin VanHoose, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The key is to begin with genuine interests rather than what might look impressive on applications.
    Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Uncontrollable feelings of worry, unease, nervousness, and fear characterize anxiety disorders.
    Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Inflation, tariff worries drive consumers' outlooks to lowest levels in 12 years What are tariffs?
    Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The Commerce Department data for February covers a period that largely precedes Trump's tariffs, though the reading arrives amid a bout of accelerating inflation that stretches back to the final months of the Biden administration.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Here are the winter 2025 All-County honorees, covering top high school athletes from Broward County in basketball, soccer, wrestling, girls weightlifting and cheerleading.
    Steve Svekis, Sun Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Wang and his crew will conduct 22 research experiments centered on how spaceflight and microgravity affect the human body that will provide insights for future long-duration missions deep into the cosmos.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2025
  • A lot of Maryland residents who enjoy their summer at the ocean might be oblivious to how this change might affect their upcoming vacations.
    Gretchen Holland, Baltimore Sun, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Because Congress never bothered to write a law to establish it.
    Jay Cost, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Chicago Bears - Will Campbell, OL, LSU Will Campbell has fallen a bit due to his shorter arm length, but that likely won't bother Ben Johnson.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The company said a 20% U.S. tariff on imports from the European Union, which Mr. Trump announced on April 2 before pausing them, would require the company to hike prices by 10% beginning April 15.
    Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The back-and-forth over tariffs shook confidence in U.S. leadership, exposed fractures within Trump’s team and rattled companies that rely on global sources for products and international customers for sales.
    Time, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The spread of antivaccine misinformation in the previous year had caused fear and uncertainty, which kept many families from vaccinating their children against measles.
    Dr. Josh Green, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Adolescence escalates all these issues and fears to their most horrifying symbolic end.
    Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Standard Edition – $59.99 Stars & Stripes Pack DLC: including helmet, pair of goggles, riding suit, bike livery, and a pair of boots.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The specialty treatments offered include a Cécred Scalp Revival, a gentle exfoliation that nourishes the scalp, removes flakes and buildup and helps keep hair hydrated.
    Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Concern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/concern. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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