concerning

1 of 2

preposition

con·​cern·​ing kən-ˈsər-niŋ How to pronounce concerning (audio)
Synonyms of concerningnext
: 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
Even more concerning, one of them is already being exploited by attackers. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Mar. 2026 More concerning, the team has been outscored 11-16 with him on the ice at five-on-five. Jesse Granger, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026 In their study published in Friday's Science Advances, the scientists said the quickening rate of change is even more concerning than the raw numbers. ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026 But, more concerning, Watts residents and school district officials fear these contaminants may be migrating with groundwater, posing a risk to neighboring Jordan High School and Jordan Downs housing complex. Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026 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 14 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

concerning

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

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