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
  • My why can be summed up in three things: fear, respect and the pursuit of greatness.
    Rob Maaddi, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2025
  • Rachel Greer, a realtor, described her homeowner client's fear to leave her front door after learning about Robinson's murder.
    Ariela Lopez, jsonline.com, 2 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Cole has known Hussein for about six years and has seen how Hussein's kindness, character and compassion has inspired countless people at the school.
    Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • His 90 years are saturated with kindness, love and compassion… driven by a fearless, diamond-like wisdom that engages a deeply divided world.
    Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 30 July 2025
Noun
  • Driving this new trend, brokers and builders agree, is a potent mix of global anxiety and cultural influence.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 29 July 2025
  • One parent who spoke to IndyStar said that their rising third grader is dealing with stress and anxiety over passing the test, especially while trying to get the proper help for their severe dyslexia.
    Caroline Beck, IndyStar, 29 July 2025
Noun
  • The hospital system is managing the influx while providing necessary medical care to all those injured.
    Hollie Silverman Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 July 2025
  • The team has doubled down on human contact and personal care at a time when automation and artificial intelligence have dominated service models.
    William Jones, USA Today, 26 July 2025
Noun
  • Panicked finds Maron returning to familiar subjects, treating them like beloved worry dolls of comedic setups.
    Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Some lawmakers have said worries over U.S. stockpiles running low don't justify cutting off Ukraine's weapons.
    Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Dave Bautista gives a quietly mesmerizing performance as Leonard—a hulking figure whose soft-spoken gentleness only heightens the unease—joined by a scruffily unnerving Rupert Grint and wrenching turns from Ben Aldridge and Jonathan Groff as the parents.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 29 July 2025
  • Yet my unease must be a tiny fraction of that of men from either side on the ground that night.
    Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 27 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Solicitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solicitude. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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