: 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
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.
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 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
Gloria Smith
Synonyms of concerning
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
James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
Yet perhaps the most concerning finding for Syria’s government, which is still trying to unify the country, is that its backing is geographically uneven.
—Salma Al-Shami, Foreign Affairs, 5 Dec. 2025
The most concerning is near Telluride, Pagosa Springs and Alamosa.
—Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
At 6-6, Kansas City currently sits third in the AFC West — and more concerning, 10th in the conference, two games out of the playoffs in the win column.
—Kansas City Star, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for concerning
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
Further video evidence shown on social media also showcases Lamb with his fingers in the air in a very concerning manner.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
Yet perhaps the most concerning finding for Syria’s government, which is still trying to unify the country, is that its backing is geographically uneven.
—Salma Al-Shami, Foreign Affairs, 5 Dec. 2025
The most concerning is near Telluride, Pagosa Springs and Alamosa.
—Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
At 6-6, Kansas City currently sits third in the AFC West — and more concerning, 10th in the conference, two games out of the playoffs in the win column.
—Kansas City Star, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for concerning
Cite this Entry
“Concerning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/concerning. Accessed 15 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share