concerning

1 of 2

preposition

con·​cern·​ing kən-ˈsər-niŋ How to pronounce concerning (audio)
: relating to : regarding

concerning

2 of 2

adjective

: causing concern or worry : creating reason for concern : troubling
found the latest reports very concerning
"It's extremely concerning that drivers still choose to give their attention to things other than the road when they're behind the wheel," said [Texas Department of Transportation] Executive Director James Bass.The Nueces County Record Star
… carbapenems should not be administered to patients with positive penicillin skin test results or a concerning history of a type I allergic response to penicillin.Alan R. Salkind et al.
concerningly adverb
Of course, South Carolina roads are also concerningly dangerous for sober drivers. In 2015, the state ranked 7th for traffic deaths overall … The Post & Courier [Charleston, South Carolina]
"The waivers have driven destruction in Native American burial sites. They have killed thousands of species and fragmented habitat. Most concerningly, there is zero accountability or consequence for these outcomes." Gloria Smith

Examples of concerning in a Sentence

Preposition we had a meeting with the principal today concerning the new policy on student-run organizations
Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
But even more concerning are the possible longer-term effect like damage to your liver and kidney and suppression of your immune system. Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025 The drop means the Vix is now outside of the most concerning area, according to DataTrek co-founder Nicholas Colas. Jesse Pound, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2025 One of the more concerning risks is the high level of radiation astronauts are exposed to, which, according to Peake, is equivalent to receiving eight chest X-rays daily. Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025 Okay, that seems very concerning, but thank the Catholic Jesus that Paige is in this conversation. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for concerning

Word History

First Known Use

Preposition

1535, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1740, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of concerning was in 1535

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Cite this Entry

“Concerning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/concerning. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

concerning

preposition
con·​cern·​ing
kən-ˈsər-niŋ
: relating to : about
news concerning friends

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