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
One homeowner suffered a minor injury and refused medical care, according to officials. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2025 But as recent events have shown, care shouldn’t stop there. Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
Neither my husband nor I cared about the state of her face or clothing. Lynn Steger Strong, The Atlantic, 21 Apr. 2025 Noonan said the Pope cared deeply for all his people and highlighted a moment of his last meeting with Pope Francis in Rome. Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for care
Recent Examples of Synonyms for care
Noun
  • Despite his rising stardom, Brunson has historically redirected attention to team success over individual accolades.
    Cynthia Pong, JD, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
  • At the time, then-Trump spokeswoman turned critic Stephanie Grisham slammed media attention of the jacket.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The arrests came after town halls across the country have become heated, as constituents from both parties expressed concern over President Donald Trump's swift and far-reaching staffing cuts.
    Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The lack of transparency about the process has created concerns among trade experts that politically connected firms might be winning carve-outs behind closed doors.
    Robert Faturechi, ProPublica, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Not Enough People Are Watching ‘NYT Mini’ Clues And Answers For Saturday, April 26 New Google Leak Reveals Subscription Changes For Gemini AI There is no shortage of worries for European auto manufacturers.
    Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • These worries lead people to make a series of decisions to delay having children, with hopes of having them in the future.
    Lisa Hagen, NPR, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • He was taken into custody and released due to overcrowding at the U.S. Border Patrol facility.
    Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • According to the suit, at one point as VML's father tried to secure her release, New Orleans ICE Field Office Director Mellissa Harper began interrogating the family's attorney about the father's immigration status and attempted to lure him into custody as well.
    Alana Wise, NPR, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Wines to try: Revelation by Goose Chardonnay 23 Revelation by Goose Ridge Rose 23 Revelation by Goose Ridge Sauvignon Blanc 23 Farther afield in New Zealand, the Marris family at Marisco Family Vineyards is upholding three generations of producing wines through dedicated environmental stewardship.
    Lana Bortolot, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Since then, Earth Day has become an annual reflection on environmental stewardship.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The anchor has not been afraid to challenge CBS News management in the past.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Although anyone can pay their rent and earn rewards with Bilt, the company’s Bilt Alliance network of 4.5 rental homes integrates payment platforms with property management systems.
    R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Further, Joel and Ellie watch a herd of giraffes in Salt Lake City in the game.
    Jessica Sager, People.com, 27 Apr. 2025
  • In Self Offense’s workshops, for instance, participants watch video scenarios and are asked to reflect on what a fly on the wall would see and hear.
    William Jones, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • According to procedure, the field is frozen as soon as the caution lights are illuminated.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Meanwhile, Iran’s highest leadership has approached the talks with extreme caution.
    Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Care.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/care. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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