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 Even the Scotland Residents page on Facebook, usually seething with vitriol directed toward neighbors and local officials alike, was full of solicitude and suggestions and offers of help. Gary Greenberg, Harper's Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024 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 See All Example Sentences for solicitude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for solicitude
Noun
  • Last month, the Lyon Bar Association raised concerns about overcrowding at the Lyon-Corbas prison, the BBC reported, and Cauwel said that the prison currently has an occupancy rate of 170%.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 14 July 2025
  • As the animals have become more common and occasionally prey on or attack pets, public concerns about coyotes attacking people, especially children, have increased.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • And without Stalter’s talent for masking Jess’ fears through recklessness — while still lining that recklessness with genuine excitement for the unknown — the series and its central character would be little more than two parts of the same mess.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 10 July 2025
  • These attempts challenge long-standing norms of academic freedom—that is, the ability of a teacher or researcher in higher education to investigate and discuss subjects without fear of political interference.
    Matt Motta, Scientific American, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • Politeness and kindness are attributes that parents want to reinforce and encourage in their children.
    Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 7 July 2025
  • Lunches, meetings, phone calls, always Mark’s delicious southern drawl infusing us with his spirit and kindness.
    Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • Jail records from 2019 show that Ornelas suffered from depression and anxiety and had previously been placed on suicide watch.
    Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 2025
  • For example, a 2019 report by Columbia University in the City of New York highlighted how boredom is associated with issues such as risky behavior, anxiety and depression.
    Eric Wood, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
Noun
  • Congress set aside money for the programs to provide academic support, enrichment and child care to mostly low-income families.
    Bianca Vázquez Toness, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025
  • Leguizamo passionately defended undocumented and legal immigrants as essential to the nation’s infrastructure, from food production and child care to healthcare and construction.
    Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 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
  • However, there is unease in the market about supply exceeding demand from 2027 onward, and a potential glut that could persist to the end of the decade dragging prices lower.
    Gaurav Sharma, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
  • There is a certain unease that settles over a place when a familiar landmark begins to dissolve.
    Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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