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Synonym Chooser

How is the word careful different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of careful are meticulous, punctilious, and scrupulous. While all these words mean "showing close attention to detail," careful implies attentiveness and cautiousness in avoiding mistakes.

a careful worker

When can meticulous be used instead of careful?

Although the words meticulous and careful have much in common, meticulous may imply either commendable extreme carefulness or a hampering finicky caution over small points.

meticulous scholarship

When could punctilious be used to replace careful?

The words punctilious and careful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, punctilious implies minute, even excessive attention to fine points.

punctilious observance of ritual

In what contexts can scrupulous take the place of careful?

While in some cases nearly identical to careful, scrupulous applies to what is proper or fitting or ethical.

scrupulous honesty

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 Continue reading … -- IN OTHER NEWS FOOL ME ONCE – Kevin Bacon is ‘more careful’ after losing money in infamous Ponzi scheme. FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2025 Israel is skeptical of talks but is careful not to contradict Trump publicly while preparing its military for a possible attack. Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2025 Those came with careful legal limitations and a process for companies to seek exclusions — and their total scale wasn't enough to have much effect on the overall U.S. economy This time is different. Neil Irwin, Axios, 5 Apr. 2025 Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for careful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for careful
Adjective
  • Dawn Staley, who’s undefeated in NCAA finals, is cautious in taking that fact into consideration.
    Roberta F. Rodrigues, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Be cautious about fertilizing, as nitrogen can interfere with blooming.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • For high-value assets such as real estate or investment accounts, meticulous record-keeping is critical.
    Virginia La Torre Jeker, J.D., Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Why, despite Mary’s 14 calls to the Broward Sheriff’s Office in the last year of her life and her meticulous reports, didn’t BSO deputies arrest Nathan?
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • That might mean that a recession caused by the Trump administration's tariff policy would actually drive adoption of artificial intelligence by companies that have so far been wary of the tech.
    Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Subject to partisan litmus tests, military leaders might be wary of offering advice that contradicts the administration’s priorities.
    Risa Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • That dissonance is a function of how eating less meat has been wrapped in a conscientious and moral sheen.
    Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 24 Mar. 2025
  • Emily is a conscientious worker who is constantly evaluating her performance and setting ever higher goals.
    Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Here's a breakdown of the three-tiered alert system from the NWS and what each level entails: High wind warning: Take action!
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • The man appeared alert, yelling and craning his head as he was hoisted into the vehicle.
    Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Brandi has already played a loving role in Elton’s valedictory run.
    Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Etta was able to fall in love and be in a super loving relationship.
    Juan Velasquez, Them., 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Like all pitchers, he’s been very diligent on wanting to improve his game — like all great players do.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2025
  • At this point in his career, injury management is as important as prevention, and Nimmo is extremely diligent with it.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 24 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Careful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/careful. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

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