concern 1 of 2

concern

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verb

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2
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
  • Fraher noted that doctors in programs with supervision requirements need to find an experienced colleague with the time and interest in providing this oversight at a health facility willing to hire them.
    Arielle Zionts, NPR, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Hayes is part of a small faction of Black social media app founders with semblances of success in the space—it’s been proven to be incredibly difficult to gauge and sustain the interest of the masses on a new digital platform when compared to Instagram, X, Snapchat, and TikTok.
    Jasmine Browley, Essence, 3 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Trade tensions and signs of slowing growth have led to worries that a recession could be looming.
    Auzinea Bacon, CNN, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Those worries were only amplified by his State of the Union speech.
    Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Princess Diana was on more PEOPLE covers than any other star ever.
    Charlotte Triggs, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
  • 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
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
  • Candidates whose scenarios highlighted risks common within the company helped expose vulnerabilities in existing systems.
    Karl Moore, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Then his allies acquired all major media companies and transformed them into state propaganda outlets.
    Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The country passed a law last month banning foreign political donations over fears about potential interference in this week’s vote.
    Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Some other common reasons behind these behaviors include teething; fears and phobias; and social isolation or boredom; among others.
    Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 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
  • Some estimates focus on entities that provide comprehensive wealth management services, including investment management, estate planning, and philanthropy.
    Francois Botha, Forbes, 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 15 Mar. 2025.

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