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concern

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verb

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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
Lawmakers, including Democrats and some Republicans, have voiced concerns, particularly over the potential loss of successful USAID programs that have helped combat Ebola and provided life-saving HIV/AIDS treatment in Africa. Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025 It isn’t expected to cause widespread flooding concerns, but cities such as Philadelphia, New York City and Boston could see some flash flooding, especially in low-lying and poor drainage areas. Mary Gilbert, CNN, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
These developments sent the stock market on a roller-coaster ride Tuesday while sparking Wall Street concerns about a potential global trade war. Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 4 Mar. 2025 Boone immediately called the development concerning and expected Gil to miss some time. Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for concern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for concern
Noun
  • Join 165 others in the comments View Comments Time and again the US economy has shaken off recession fears, including in 2022 after the Fed spiked interest rates to fight inflation, and in the summer of 2024 when the unemployment rate started to rise.
    Elisabeth Buchwald and Matt Egan, CNN, 3 Mar. 2025
  • As credit card balances remain high, financial experts warn that even small changes in interest rates can have a huge effect on consumers.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • That’s all well and good, but this latest game was as good a sign as any that those worries might not age well.
    Sam Amick, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Another major worry for those who’ve been able to live in their homes is all the trash.
    Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Miami Herald 305-376-3619 Miami Herald consumer trends reporter Howard Cohen, a 2017 Media Excellence Awards winner, has covered pop music, theater, health and fitness, obituaries, municipal government, breaking news and general assignment.
    Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The Kansas City Star Jenna Thompson covers retail news for The Kansas City Star.
    Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Due date for individuals and businesses in the entire states of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina and parts of Florida, Tennessee, and Virginia affected by severe storms and flooding from Hurricane Helene (☆) and Hurricane Milton.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
  • The two countries exchange a series of tit-for-tat levies affecting hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of goods.
    TIME, TIME, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Gathering at Scripps Research’s third annual Pandemic Preparedness Symposium last week, researchers working in virology and chemistry did not bother to debate whether or not H5N1 avian influenza will clear this rapidly shrinking hurdle.
    Paul Sisson, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The obvious motive The administration hardly bothered to pretend that Brown (whose distinguished military and academic career includes a masters’ degree in in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach).wasn’t fired for being Black.
    Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The announcement of the new Chinese company comes as Jia Zhangke‘s latest film, the Cannes 2024 Palme d’Or contender Caught By The Tides, gears up for its U.S. release in May 9, via Sideshow and Janus Films.
    Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The utility bankrolled political consultants whose companies propped up ghost candidates in Miami-Dade and elsewhere to confuse voters, split the vote and secure state Senate seats for friendlier legislators.
    Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The number of cancellations comes from a person who asked for anonymity because of the fear of repercussions at the Post.
    David Folkenflik, NPR, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Soft signals about the economy The pullback in spending comes at a time when American consumers are growing increasingly pessimistic on fears that inflation will pick up because of President Donald Trump’s talk of wide-ranging tariffs, according to various surveys.
    Alicia Wallace, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The non-manufacturing PMI, which includes services and construction, also climbed to 50.4 from 50.2 in January.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Attendees at this year’s event included Sabrina Carpenter, Dua Lipa, Shaboozey, Millie Bobby Brown and more.
    Toria Sheffield, People.com, 2 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Concern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/concern. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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