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
There will be some minor debates on how much offense Cootes will have in the NHL, and for a 6-0 center, the lack of dynamic traits is mildly concerning. Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026 The most concerning form of being unqualified right now is not lacking the credentials. Glenn Llopis, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026 Many teams have one less week to prepare for the first official game, which Beck said is more concerning than potential high temperatures, something teams are used to navigating. Charles Baggarly august 6, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Aug. 2026 Losing talented employees soon afterward can be even more concerning. Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 4 Aug. 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 21 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

concerning

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

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