care 1 of 2

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as in concern
attention accompanied by protectiveness and responsibility that's an extremely valuable violin, so handle it with care

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in custody
responsibility for the safety and well-being of someone or something while you're under my care, you'll do as you're told

Synonyms & Similar Words

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care

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verb

as in to watch
to have an interest or concern for a teacher who cares what happens to her students long after they leave her classroom

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word care distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of care are anxiety, concern, solicitude, and worry. While all these words mean "a troubled or engrossed state of mind or the thing that causes this," care implies oppression of the mind weighed down by responsibility or disquieted by apprehension.

a face worn by years of care

When can anxiety be used instead of care?

The meanings of anxiety and care largely overlap; however, anxiety stresses anguished uncertainty or fear of misfortune or failure.

plagued by anxiety and self-doubt

When might concern be a better fit than care?

While in some cases nearly identical to care, concern implies a troubled state of mind because of personal interest, relation, or affection.

crimes caused concern in the neighborhood

When would solicitude be a good substitute for care?

Although the words solicitude and care have much in common, solicitude implies great concern and connotes either thoughtful or hovering attentiveness toward another.

acted with typical maternal solicitude

Where would worry be a reasonable alternative to care?

The words worry and care are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 care
Noun
However, be sure to refer to your care label before determining the proper wash settings. Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Nov. 2025 Personal services, child care and education ranked at the top for satisfaction. Robert Frank, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
He was then asked if anyone cared that Schumer did not endorse in the New York City mayoral race. Dave Smith, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2025 The woman was in a standard SNAP demographic, not that Manna asks or cares whether its clients are registered for that program. Neal Rubin, Freep.com, 8 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for care
Recent Examples of Synonyms for care
Noun
  • The bill passed in June without media attention, while bombs were dropping on Iran.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025
  • But Vanderbilt, as attention, pressure and fatigue rise on a pursuit no one outside its camp expected, is essentially two teams with two games left in the 2025 regular season.
    Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously opposed the bill, citing concerns over potential retaliation against Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
    Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Addressing environmental and material concerns While perovskite materials are relatively affordable, their use of rare elements and lead raises environmental concerns.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Just as essential a consideration as carefulness for committee members, though, is speed.
    Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 26 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Meanwhile Syria remains scarred by years of conflict and nationals in Germany are looking on at the debate with mounting worry.
    Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Leaders at big carmakers spelled out their worries in the latest round of earnings calls, saying that finding a replacement for Nexperia at scale in the short term will be difficult.
    Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Also in August, Edward Alexander Dana, who was arrested on vandalism charges, was accused of threatening the President while in police custody.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
  • His allies in Georgia flagged chain-of-custody gaps and possible duplicate scanning during the post-election audit period.
    Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Featuring voice work from Coco Teehan Roche, the film reflects BAFTA and Emmy winning studio Cartoon Saloon’s interest in cultural folklore and environmental stewardship.
    Callum McLennan, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Their stewardship has kept deforestation rates in Indigenous Lands in the Brazilian Amazon up to 83% lower than in unprotected areas globally.
    Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Although timber remains the primary long-term commercial value, growing improved varieties for both nuts and timber is considered potentially highly profitable, provided there is a long-term perspective and proper tree management.
    Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 11 Nov. 2025
  • The PolyU team urges the development of sustainable alternatives and effective lead management or recycling systems to ensure the technology’s long-term viability.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Imagine, for a moment, being back in 1968, watching three NASA astronauts on their way home to Earth after orbiting the moon for Apollo 8.
    Lee Billings, Scientific American, 10 Nov. 2025
  • That that has to be paid upfront before watching any live TV at all is a source of routine controversy.
    Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 10 Nov. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Care.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/care. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.

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