1
as in cautious
having or showing a close attentiveness to avoiding danger or trouble
careful drivers slow down on slick or icy roadways
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in meticulous
taking, showing, or involving great care and effort
that furniture maker was known to be a most careful worker, so his output was small
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 careful
The hamstring injury Mount suffered overextending his leg in the Manchester derby in December kept him out until March, and Amorim was careful to reintroduce him — and praised his diligence in returning to fitness.
—
Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 25 July 2025
Opt for a mild detergent or vinegar when cleaning, and be careful not to get any of the electrical components wet during the cleaning.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 24 July 2025
During the public meeting held in Silver Spring, Maryland, dental experts outlined the careful balance of getting the right amount of fluoride to their patients.
—Erika Edwards, NBC news, 24 July 2025
At this point, it's just suspended, but borrowers on the plan need to pay careful attention in the coming weeks to any developments.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for careful
Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 25 July 2025
Opt for a mild detergent or vinegar when cleaning, and be careful not to get any of the electrical components wet during the cleaning.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 24 July 2025
During the public meeting held in Silver Spring, Maryland, dental experts outlined the careful balance of getting the right amount of fluoride to their patients.
—Erika Edwards, NBC news, 24 July 2025
At this point, it's just suspended, but borrowers on the plan need to pay careful attention in the coming weeks to any developments.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for careful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for careful
Adjective
-
Aston Martin Formula One driver Fernando Alonso has revealed a cautious approach in the wet-weather racing argument after the previous race at Spa-Francorchamps saw the FIA delay the race start by 80 minutes due to rain.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Aug. 2025
-
Some analysts, including those at Barclays, have also pointed out that there could be potential deceleration in the second half, keeping cautious ratings despite the company’s optimistic outlook.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Their ‘Rare Handcrafts’ models showcase the delicate art of hand engraving under a binocular microscope, creating a newfound appreciation for the meticulous work of jewelry and watchmakers.—
Anna Haines,
AFAR Media,
23 July 2025
-
Though beefy humanoids like Boston Dynamics’ Atlas have been able to perform terrifyingly impressive feats of acrobatics for the better part of a decade, many of those feats were scripted and the result of meticulous coding and fine-tuning by human engineers.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
23 July 2025
Adjective
-
Judge, always wary of self-congratulation, downplayed his contributions.—
Brendan Kuty,
New York Times,
25 July 2025
-
Safeties will be wary of the 221-pounder, enhancing Herbert’s long-ball options.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
New hires can't learn by example because there's no one to watch, and conscientious peers can't see when newcomers are struggling.—
David Meade,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
-
Each one should be the result of a deliberate, conscientious decision by the only person elected to make it.—
Sreedhar Potarazu,
Baltimore Sun,
19 July 2025
Adjective
-
That posting actually references a much older threat, one that was first flagged by the FBI public service announcement, alert number I-091223-PSA, way back in September 2023.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
-
Remain alert for flooding even in locations not receiving rain.—
Andrew Ford,
AZCentral.com,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
In an interview with 60 Minutes, Judy was described as his biggest fan, and their close relationship shows in the loving maternal characters in Adam’s films.—
Emily Krauser,
People.com,
30 July 2025
-
An article from Dog Mixology reported that dachshund and Bernedoodle mixes are known for being friendly, loving and loyal to families.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 July 2025
Adjective
-
The 12-year-old gets the award for most diligent gardener.—
Caleb Harris,
Austin American Statesman,
31 July 2025
-
But this doesn’t look like a diligent, open-minded search for the truth.—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
26 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Careful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/careful. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share