How to Use careful in a Sentence

careful

adjective
  • They produced a careful study of the building.
  • Be careful! The stove is hot!
  • The police were careful to leave the room exactly as they found it.
  • She was careful of their feelings.
  • You can never be too careful about these things.
  • He is a careful driver.
  • Police made a careful examination of the scene.
  • There’s been enough in the last 20 years for the Buckeyes to want to be careful.
    — Doug Lesmerises, cleveland, 9 June 2022
  • But be careful: This is a curvy road with a large drop off on the side.
    — Ashley Dunne, Sunset Magazine, 1 June 2022
  • And a lot more careful, at least in terms of who says what when.
    — Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 4 Nov. 2024
  • As her mother likes to say: The tiger year is a year to be careful.
    — Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2021
  • Spread it in a wide, even layer and be careful not to pile it against the trunk of a tree.
    — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2025
  • Be careful not to cut off new buds that haven’t opened yet.
    — Arricca Elin Sansone, Country Living, 8 Nov. 2022
  • To do this, use a piece of ice or an ice pack to freeze the stained area, but be careful not to get the stain wet.
    — Maryal Miller Carter, USA TODAY, 3 Aug. 2023
  • That is a balance that one has to be very careful with.
    — Jessica Wang, EW.com, 25 May 2023
  • Kevin Allen briefed reporters at the scene and was careful to not use that term.
    — The Oregonian, oregonlive, 2 Aug. 2023
  • So their whole thing is just be careful, don't get hurt.
    — Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 6 Nov. 2023
  • Gently stir in the cooked, cooled squash to coat it, being careful not to break up the squash.
    — Patricia S York, Southern Living, 2 Mar. 2025
  • The sound team also had to be careful not to pick up snoring.
    — Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Aug. 2023
  • The kids were warned to be careful, to avoid certain slivers of town.
    — Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2022
  • One of the messages in such accounts is … to … be … careful … out … there.
    — Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 30 May 2022
  • But be careful when scrolling, as the answers are at the end of the article.
    — John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
  • But as the playoffs approach, Stafford must be more careful with the ball.
    — Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 3 Jan. 2022
  • Be careful when making plans based on the menus at the website though.
    — Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 14 Aug. 2024
  • But Jeffries was also careful not to run too far afoul of Bloomberg.
    — Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
  • That is a big incentive for providers to be careful.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2026
  • Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.
    — Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 16 May 2026
  • Not everyone is so careful about observing property lines when mowing grass.
    — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 May 2026
  • Don't use a propane torch on a windy day, and be careful to avoid burning either yourself or any of the objects adjacent to the weeds.
    — David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 16 May 2026
  • Just be careful when handling the hot water so you don’t get burned.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 16 May 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'careful.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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