concern

verb con·cern \ kən-ˈsərn \

|Updated on: 7 Aug 2018

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Examples: concern in a Sentence

Definition of concern

concerned; concerning; concerns

transitive verb

1 a : 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 : ¹engage, occupy

He concerns himself with trivia.

She refused to concern herself with such gossip.

intransitive verb

obsolete : to be of importance : matter

See concern defined for English-language learners

See concern defined for kids

Examples of concern in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of concern from the Web

One of the biggest outstanding questions concerning Pruitt is whether criminal prosecutors are investigating Pruitt.

— dino grandoni, Washington Post, "The Energy 202: Scott Pruitt is still under investigation by EPA watchdog," 13 July 2018
Forbes reported that Schantter was taking part in a role-playing exercise in the wake of his comments concerning the NFL, and him placing blame on the league’s national anthem protests for the company’s sales.

— michael bartiromo, Fox News, "Mayor removes 'Papa John' Schnatter's name from hometown gym in wake of controversy, mails back $400K donation," 13 July 2018
Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley last week asked Justice to declassify the 302s for 12 separate FBI interviews with Mr. Ohr concerning his contacts with Mr. Steele.

— the editorial board, WSJ, "After the Strzok Stonewall," 13 July 2018
Today, despite its subordinate position within the European Union behind such larger powers as France and Germany, Ireland has played an outsized role as a voice on matters concerning Israel and the Arab-Israeli conflict.

— sean savage, Jewish Journal, "Ireland goes ahead with legislation to boycott products made in Israeli settlements," 12 July 2018
The police responded to a report of suspicious activity concerning a vehicle and two people on foot walking near Barrington Elementary.

— sheila vilvens, Cincinnati.com, "Police called on 12-year-old African-American newspaper carrier," 11 July 2018
The tickets came from a total of 58 complaints received by the police from residents concerned about people using fireworks.

— judy pochel, Aurora Beacon-News, "Montgomery police write 14 tickets, issue 15 warnings for use of fireworks," 10 July 2018
This is an intriguing new twist on a debate that has been raging for centuries concerning the importance of nature versus nurture in behavior.

— robert martone, Scientific American, "Early Life Experience: It’s in Your DNA," 10 July 2018
This is a decision concerning Audrey and me specifically - the show must go on!

— michelle manetti, Good Housekeeping, "Here's Why Jeremy and Audrey Roloff Are Leaving 'Little People, Big World'," 10 July 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of concern

Middle English, from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French concerner, from Medieval Latin concernere, from Late Latin, to sift together, mingle, from Latin com- + cernere to sift — more at certain

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

concern Synonyms

concern

noun

Definition of concern

1 a : 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.

3 a : 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

See concern defined for English-language learners

Examples of concern in a Sentence

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 of concern from the Web

So with a second album out, Body/Head is an ongoing concern for you guys.

— joe lynch, Billboard, "Kim Gordon & Bill Nace on Body/Head's Second Album and the 'Freedom' of a Niche Audience," 13 July 2018
In the past year, the lack of an agreement has led to concerns from city leaders and staff about liabilities that could arise at the site.

— david hernandez, sandiegouniontribune.com, "National City to move forward with plans for community gardens," 12 July 2018
This adds to the concern about the lack of navigator funding.

— phil galewitz, Washington Post, "Outrageous Or Overblown? HHS Announces Another Round Of ACA Navigator Funding Cuts," 12 July 2018
These thrived on the collapse of support for national political parties, and on a sense that contemporary national governments were insensitive to Scottish and Catalan concerns.

— The Economist, "The siren call of separatism," 12 July 2018
While many women experienced unpleasant side effects and there were concerns about safety and reliability from the start, the drug proved unprecedentedly successful at regulating women’s menstrual cycles and preventing fertilization.

— carolyn todd, Allure, "The History and Evolution of Birth Control in America," 12 July 2018
The city manager’s letter also requested that future presentations on the Alamo plan include results of a traffic study, in response to community concerns.

— scott huddleston, San Antonio Express-News, "Next Alamo hearing to give public more information," 10 July 2018
The airline said in a statement that the move is due to concerns about peanut allergies.

— dawn gilbertson, azcentral, "Southwest Airlines to stop serving peanuts Aug. 1," 10 July 2018
Some writers said their doctors now hesitate to prescribe opioids due to concerns over addiction.

— kathleen hoffman, STAT, "Opioid stigma is keeping many cancer patients from getting the pain control they need," 6 July 2018

Origin and Etymology of concern

see ¹concern

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1643

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

concern Synonyms

Synonyms

agitation, anxiety, anxiousness, apprehension, apprehensiveness, care, concernment, disquiet, disquietude, fear, nervousness, solicitude, sweat, unease, uneasiness, worry;

Antonyms

unconcern;

Near Antonyms

calm, calmness, content, contentment, ease, easiness, peace, peacefulness, placidity, placidness, quiet, quietude, sereneness, serenity, tranquillity (or tranquility), tranquilness;

comfort, consolation, relief, solace;

Related Words

strain, stress, tension;

alarm (also alarum), anguish, consternation, desperateness, desperation, discomfort, discomposure, dismay, distraction, distress, disturbance, edginess, hand-wringing, jitters, jumpiness, panic, tremor;

angst, fearfulness, torment, upset, vexation;

cold feet, doubt, dread, foreboding, incertitude, misgiving, presentiment, suspense, uncertainty;

compunction, qualm, scruple;

Synonym Discussion of concern

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

CONCERN Defined for English Language Learners

concern

verb

Definition of concern for English Language Learners

: to relate to (something or someone) : to be about (something or someone)
: to affect or involve (someone) : to be the business or interest of (someone)
: to make (someone) worried : to cause concern for (someone)

concern

noun

Definition of concern for English Language Learners

: a feeling of worry usually shared by many people
: something that causes people to worry
: a feeling of being interested in and caring about a person or thing

CONCERN Defined for Kids

concern

verb con·cern \ kən-ˈsərn \

Definition of concern for Students

concerned; concerning

1 : to relate to : be about

The story concerns a young prince.

2 : to be of interest or importance to : affect

This problem concerns us all.

3 : to make worried

Her illness concerned my parents.

4 : engage 2, occupy

She concerns herself with other people's business.

concern

noun

Definition of concern for Students

1 : a feeling of worry or care about a person or thing

concern for the poor

a cause for concern

2 : something that causes worry or is regarded as important

The students' safety is her main concern.

3 : something that relates to or involves a person : affair

This is not your concern.

4 : a business organization

a banking concern

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See words that rhyme with concern Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for concern Spanish Central: Translation of concern Nglish: Translation of concern for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of concern for Arabic speakers

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concern

Definition of concern

Examples of concern in a Sentence

Recent Examples of concern from the Web

Origin and Etymology of concern

concern Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

concern

Definition of concern

Examples of concern in a Sentence

Recent Examples of concern from the Web

Origin and Etymology of concern

concern Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Synonym Discussion of concern

CONCERN Defined for English Language Learners

concern

Definition of concern for English Language Learners

concern

Definition of concern for English Language Learners

CONCERN Defined for Kids

concern

Definition of concern for Students

concern

Definition of concern for Students

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