concern

verb con·cern \ kən-ˈsərn \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of concern

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

She was concerned for the children who had just lost their mother.

— kate friedman, Glamour, "Here's Why Queen Elizabeth II Took Five Days to Publicly Address Princess Diana's Death," 30 Aug. 2017
For the average American concerned with the deluge, the best answer is to replace an occasional, morbid curiosity with flooding with a more sophisticated, long-term interest in stormwater management.

— ian bogost, The Atlantic, "Houston's Flood Is a Design Problem," 28 Aug. 2017
Thereafter, loads of new material concerning Toscanini became available, and that 1978 bio has been replaced by the new one.

— jay nordlinger, National Review, "Maestrissimo, Part I," 28 Aug. 2017
Mainly he was concerned with paying his bills and financing his low-roller gambling habit.

— jeff maysh, Los Angeles Magazine, "The Cop Who Became a Robber," 22 Aug. 2017
Bureau Chief Scott Salela said Naperville firefighters responded to a 911 call made at 1:05 a.m. Monday concerning the blaze.

— bill bird, Naperville Sun, "44 firefighters battle Naperville-area house fire," 21 Aug. 2017
Taylor's letter underscores tensions at the state department of education concerning board members' criticism of state superintendent Michael Sentance.

— trisha powell crain, AL.com, "Governor's attorney questions legality of Alabama BOE meeting," 18 Aug. 2017
Whaley's campaign isn't concerned about how the endorsement might play if Cranley loses his re-election bid in November.

— jason williams, Cincinnati.com, "PX: John Cranley takes sides in Ohio governor's race," 17 Aug. 2017
She also is concerned about the mental and physical well-being of young women.

— anna gorman, Kaiser Health News, "Often Missing In The Health Care Debate: Women’s Voices," 17 Aug. 2017

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

See Words from the same year

concern Synonyms

Synonyms

cover, deal (with), pertain (to), treat (of), have to do with

Antonyms

calm, compose, quiet, settle, soothe, tranquilize (also tranquillize)

Related Words

appertain (to), bear (on or upon), refer (to), relate (to); advert (to), allude (to), cite, glance (upon), instance, mention, name, note, notice, quote, specify, touch (upon); offer, present; contain, embrace, encompass, entail, include, incorporate

Near Antonyms

exclude, omit; disregard, forget, ignore, neglect, overlook, overpass, pass over, slight, slur (over); brush (aside or off), reject, shrug off

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 :matter for consideration

Immigration had become a concern to Congress.

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

The gas cannot be used in patients with head injuries, or who have abdominal pain or pulmonary concerns.

— Washington Post, "Laughing gas makes a comeback as painkiller in ambulances," 31 Aug. 2017
Financial markets swooned on Aug. 17 when concern spread that Cohn would quit over Trump’s stance on the Charlottesville protest.

— jennifer jacobs, Bloomberg.com, "Trump Thanks Mnuchin and Ross at Tax Speech -- But Not Cohn," 30 Aug. 2017
LMPD is asking anyone with complaints or concerns to the Professional Standards Unit at 502- 574-7144.

— thomas novelly, The Courier-Journal, "LMPD investigates officers' actions at Black Lives Matter rally downtown," 30 Aug. 2017
However, heavy rain and flooding will still remain a high concern along Harvey's path.

— leigh morgan, AL.com, "Tropical Storm Harvey 2017 makes second landfall, this time in Louisiana," 30 Aug. 2017
Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy had already canceled for Sunday, citing weather concerns.

— star-telegram, "The weekend’s top 10 things to do includes Brave Combo, barbecue and the blues," 30 Aug. 2017
Of the few known environmental androgens, trenbolone acetate, a synthetic steroid implanted into cattle to speed their growth, has sparked the most concern.

— mitch leslie, Science | AAAS, "Something is changing the sex of Costa Rican crocodiles," 30 Aug. 2017
That’s why Oliver Padget of Oxford University's Department of Zoology designed a study to eliminate those concerns.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Seabirds Use Their Sense of Smell to Navigate Open Water," 30 Aug. 2017
Cunningham, 48, had become outspoken about safety concerns in football during his game broadcasts in recent years.

— chadd cripe, idahostatesman, "ESPN analyst, familiar voice in Boise, quits: Football isn’t ‘safe for the brain’," 30 Aug. 2017

Origin and Etymology of concern

see ¹concern

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1643

See Words from the same year

concern Synonyms

Synonyms

business, company, enterprise, establishment, firm, house, interest, outfit

Antonyms

unconcern

Related Words

conglomerate, corporation, multinational; association, cartel, chain, combine, syndicate, trust; agency, dealer, outlet; microenterprise

Near Antonyms

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

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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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

Related Words

Near Antonyms

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CONCERN Defined for English Language Learners

concern

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concern

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CONCERN Defined for Kids

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