concern

verb

con·cern | \ kən-ˈsərn

concerned; concerning; concerns

Definition of concern

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to relate to : be about The novel concerns three soldiers. The report concerns global warming.

b : to bear on

2 : to have an influence on : involve also : to be the business or affair of The problem concerns us all. This conversation does not concern you.

3 : to be a care, trouble, or distress to Her ill health concerns me. Her son's frequent tantrums concerned her.

4 : engage entry 1, occupy He concerns himself with trivia. She refused to concern herself with such gossip.

intransitive verb

obsolete : to be of importance : matter

concern

noun

Definition of concern (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : marked interest or regard usually arising through a personal tie or relationship Their friend's health is a constant cause of concern.

b : an uneasy state of blended interest, uncertainty, and apprehension The actor's sudden collapse on stage caused concern.

2 : something that relates or belongs to one : affair It's no concern of yours.

3a : matter for consideration Immigration had become a concern to Congress.

b : a matter that causes feelings of unease, uncertainty, or apprehension health/safety concerns "Just throw it into the sun!" That phrase has long been the seemingly easy answer to … very serious concerns about what to do with nuclear waste.— Dave Trumbore

4 : an organization or establishment for business or manufacture a banking concern a commercial concern

5 : contrivance, gadget

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about concern

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Choose the Right Synonym for concern

Noun

care, concern, solicitude, anxiety, worry 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 concern implies a troubled state of mind because of personal interest, relation, or affection. crimes caused concern in the neighborhood solicitude implies great concern and connotes either thoughtful or hovering attentiveness toward another. acted with typical maternal solicitude anxiety stresses anguished uncertainty or fear of misfortune or failure. plagued by anxiety and self-doubt worry suggests fretting over matters that may or may not be real cause for anxiety. financial worries

Examples of concern in a Sentence

Verb

The novel concerns three soldiers. This study concerns the noise levels in cities. This conversation doesn't concern you. Our mother's illness concerns us.

Noun

They have expressed concern about the cost of the project. There is some concern that the economy might worsen. I share your concern about these problems. Their friend's health is a constant source of concern. The governor needs to address voters' concerns about the economy. They have raised concerns about the cost of the project. Their friend's health is a constant concern. His concern with the well-being of his family is obvious. She has always shown genuine concern for the poor. I appreciate your concern, but there's really nothing you can do to help.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Most complaints pertaining to farm animals come from citizens concerned about insufficient shelter for the weather conditions or how thin cows or horses look — though often with dairy cows that’s their normal body condition, Ernst said. — Alexia Elejalde-ruiz, chicagotribune.com, "Videos of Fair Oaks Farms triggered outrage. But who polices how the dairy industry treats its cows?," 21 June 2019 The judge decided to set an Aug. 16 hearing concerning arguments about the costs to prosecute the case. — Marc Freeman, sun-sentinel.com, "Son gets 15 years for chopping up dead father’s remains in Boca garage," 21 June 2019 The long-running criminal case against Attorney General Ken Paxton hit another obstacle on Wednesday after the Court of Criminal Appeals refused to rehear arguments related to its ruling concerning payments to prosecutors in the case. — Arnessa Garrett, Dallas News, "Paxton prosecutors don't get rehearing, Chip Roy's crusade continues, slavery reparations discussed, and Dallas feels fiscal squeeze," 20 June 2019 What concerns the lawmakers is that Libra isn’t being developed in a vacuum. — Matthew De Silva, Quartz, "Facebook’s crypto presents a massive privacy problem," 20 June 2019 Any questions concerning the processional should be directed to Fire Lt. — Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al.com, "Gov. Ivey lowers flags to honor fallen Springville firefighter Jared Echols," 19 June 2019 Rosenthal advocated for bills concerning law enforcement and active shooter drills during the legislative session. — Chevall Pryce, Houston Chronicle, "Rosenthal reflects on 86th Texas legislative session, future plans for District 135," 19 June 2019 The fate of social democracy should worry not only those on the left, but anyone concerned with democracy in Europe. — Sheri Berman, Vox, "The development and decay of democracy," 18 June 2019 The misconceptions concerning Jewish rapaciousness are perhaps widespread enough to justify opening with this theme. — Sara Lipton, The New York Review of Books, "A Terribly Durable Myth," 17 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

But a storm or two could be on the strong side today, with damaging winds and small hail the biggest concerns. — Leigh Morgan, al.com, "Storms possible again today, but not as many," 23 June 2019 That concern was at the heart of the dispute 16 years ago, when Albertsons and Ralphs were trying to keep labor costs down in the face of Walmart and other mass merchants aggressively moving into groceries. — James F. Peltz, latimes.com, "Grocery strike rocked Southern California 16 years ago. It may happen again soon," 22 June 2019 Addressing the concerns of parents is of utmost importance to Perrigo, and consumers can call Consumer Affairs with any questions at 866-629-6181. — Helen Murphy, PEOPLE.com, "Over 23,000 Containers of Baby Formula, Sold at Walmart, Recalled Due to Concerns of Metal," 22 June 2019 Another concern is that dysfunction in Brasília will impede other reforms. — The Economist, "Despite turmoil, Brazil is starting to fix its pension system," 22 June 2019 The question immediately before the court concerns not the political implications of citizenship data, but a drier matter of whether the Trump administration followed administrative rules in requesting it. — Emily Badger, New York Times, "People Who Can’t Vote Still Count Politically in America. What if That Changes?," 22 June 2019 That concern was at the heart of the dispute 16 years ago, when Albertsons and Ralphs were trying to keep labor costs down in the face of Walmart and other mass merchants aggressively moving into groceries. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Grocery strike rocked Southern California 16 years ago. It may happen again soon," 22 June 2019 The concern with the knockout stages is that games that remain tied after regulation and overtime are decided by a shootout. — Nancy Armour, USA TODAY, "Opinion: Two weeks in at World Cup, USWNT among winners, while FIFA remains a huge loser," 21 June 2019 Traffic is one of the most pressing concerns for the city of approximately 54,000 residents. — Alison Kuznitz, BostonGlobe.com, "Revere braces for effects from Encore Boston Harbor casino," 20 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'concern.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.