concern 1 of 2

Definition of concernnext

concern

2 of 2

verb

1
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
Those concerns were amplified by Marsch only seeing his players every few months before the World Cup. Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 17 June 2026 That concern has been reinforced by a 2024 study from the National Research Group, which found that 75% of Gen Z audiences prefer watching original content over remakes or franchise fare. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 17 June 2026
Verb
Senators and governors concerned about the conditions in the for-profit detention centers have been barred from visiting. Nancy Rudner, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 June 2026 Bennett is concerned, for instance, that Hong could win her primary and then be defeated in November by Republican Tom Tiffany, fumbling the governorship of a swing state into the hands of a far-right Freedom Caucus member who dabbled in 2020 election conspiracy theories. Will Lennon, ABC News, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for concern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for concern
Noun
  • The Oilers have shown interest in hiring Babcock, but league sources told The Athletic the NHL is investigating Babcock’s short stint with Columbus in 2023.
    Jesse Granger, New York Times, 16 June 2026
  • But as interest in the area grew, the pair began to see a business opportunity.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 June 2026
Noun
  • Wood’s career was derailed by injuries, leading to worries of hard throwers being susceptible to blowing out pitching arms.
    ABC News, ABC News, 18 June 2026
  • The New Jersey Girl and its parent company, The Local Girl Media Group, live on addressing public worries; this one just happened to have stakes for a broader population.
    Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • Lynch organized the GoFundMe campaign on Monday to cover immediate expenses and create college funds for the couple’s son and daughter.
    Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2026
  • The additional killing of Vergata is covered by Heuermann's plea agreement, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.
    Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • The change quickly affected players.
    Cal Phillips June 19, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 June 2026
  • Today’s food environment and gaps in health education affect children across the socioeconomic spectrum.
    Jordan Schriver, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • Oh, and more often than not, nobody bothers to check whether the change intervention actually worked, or whether leaders improve their performance after all!
    Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
  • The chest pain that had been bothering her finally let up.
    Tyler Quattrin, Twin Cities, 19 June 2026
Noun
  • The bulk of Event Strategies' federal contracts have been awarded since Justin Caporale, the company’s former CEO, was appointed executive producer for major events and public appearances in the Executive Office of the President.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 18 June 2026
  • Earlier this year, the Department of Homeland Security awarded a contract to a company that makes a drone with massive nets to ensnare other drones.
    Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
Noun
  • As Kennedy and Bessette spend more time together and grow closer, her intimidation of the spotlight and fear of invasive paparazzi often create tension in their relationship, despite his attempts to calm the situation.
    Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 22 June 2026
  • Throughout the whole battle, that’s when fear really sets in for Jace.
    Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 22 June 2026
Verb
  • Hired for four years at a salary of $440,000, Carvalho quickly adopted a strategic plan that included detailed, regular review of a school’s test scores — from both the annual state tests and periodic district assessments.
    Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2026
  • That has caused several groups to propose their own ways to fix the program, including a Washington think tank whose paper proposed capping annual Social Security benefits at $100,000 to shore up the retirement trust fund.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 22 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Concern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/concern. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.

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