Definition of carenext
1
2
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

3
4
5
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

6
7

care

2 of 2

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
With good care your transplants should be ready for the garden in about four weeks. Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2026 Sharrock says the region’s growth should be managed with care. Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Verb
Patients with pancreatic cancer do not care whether a medical breakthrough began in Boston, Beijing, or anywhere else. Craig Garthwaite, Fortune, 24 July 2026 Still, some animals didn’t seem to care about the eclipse at all. Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for care
Recent Examples of Synonyms for care
Noun
  • The design is laid-back and a little bit funky, just like Austin, with minimalist furnishings, warm natural materials, and local artwork, plus floor-to-ceiling windows that draw your attention out to Austin’s natural beauty.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Too many brands exhaust their marketing budgets fighting for attention during the primary event when real power lies in owning the transitional micro-moment immediately following exertion.
    Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The iPhone’s success, however, has satisfied some of those concerns for now, especially since Apple can partner with other companies like Google to use their AI models.
    Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • Anne Arundel County has said the safety concerns stemmed from unpermitted construction work in the building's underground parking garage.
    Drew Aunkst, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Noun
  • This carefulness is clearly strategic.
    Gary Sernovitz, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
  • There was no carefulness in it.
    Zack Meisel, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • There have also been growing concerns that AI companies are propping each other up through a web of funding deals, with Nvidia at the heart of those worries.
    Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • Those worries came to a head after the May election rout, leading to Starmer’s fall and Burnham’s rise.
    ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Noun
  • While in custody, Schmidt threatened to call the governor and mayor on the police officers, the report stated.
    Gabe White, Arkansas Online, 21 July 2026
  • Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky denied bail and remanded Arrabaca into custody.
    ABC News, ABC News, 21 July 2026
Noun
  • Under Kennedy’s stewardship, the HHS inverted the traditional food pyramid which placed grains at the bottom (most consumed) and fats and oils at the top (least consumed).
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 31 July 2026
  • Through a transparent and accountable supply chain, brands can strengthen consumer trust, assured that their cotton is sourced from a program committed to continuous environmental stewardship and verifiable accountability.
    SJ Studio, Footwear News, 31 July 2026
Noun
  • Court records show that in early 2022, Arbuckle managed a team of more than 20 and helped forecast loan demand across major sectors of the bank, including corporate, commercial, wealth management and small-business banking.
    Chase Jordan July 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
  • Maritime risk-management company Marisks on Wednesday said the affected vessels were moved outside the port.
    Salma Arafa, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
Verb
  • Skilled Photoshop artists spent years mastering masking, selections and retouching techniques, only to watch AI remove a complex background with a single click.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Aug. 2026
  • For several days, millions of people watched Simon — a 7-year-old Jindo-skewing mix — journey toward taking his final breath.
    Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Care.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/care. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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