solicitude

noun

so·​lic·​i·​tude sə-ˈli-sə-ˌtüd How to pronounce solicitude (audio)
-ˌtyüd
1
a
: the state of being concerned and anxious
b
: attentive care and protectiveness
also : an attitude of earnest concern or attention
expressed solicitude for his health
2
: a cause of care or concern
usually used in plural
Choose the Right Synonym for solicitude

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

Examples of solicitude in a Sentence

He expressed solicitude for my health. a growing solicitude over the possible results of the criminal investigation
Recent Examples on the Web That may account for the thrust of many early corporate statements about the Hamas attack, which tended to express solicitude for Israeli employees and their families and reiterate commitment to the Israeli market. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2023 Wexner may also have enjoyed a certain amount of solicitude from Harvard associated with his relationship with Epstein. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2023 Those suspicions were revived this month with the disclosure that the Saudi Arabian regime, toward which Trump showed great solicitude, has made a $2-billion investment in a fund operated by Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who worked as a member of the White House staff. Michael Hiltzikbusiness Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2022 Avedon wanted not only to detect the pulse, with a physician’s intimate solicitude, but to amplify and announce it, like a town crier. Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2023 Their nests, those altars of parental solicitude proudly built by other birds, are often slipshod affairs. Christoph Irmscher, WSJ, 3 Feb. 2023 His solicitude aside, Vargas hunted those men to the exclusion of all else. Paul Solotaroff, Rolling Stone, 8 Jan. 2023 Touched by their solicitude (turns out Gary only suffered a minor concussion), Rachel invites the duo to her eatery, and a friendship commences. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 7 Dec. 2022 During the Trump years, the Court granted special solicitude to Democratic states, as Justices Alito and Neil Gorsuch pointed out in a dissent last year. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 1 Dec. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'solicitude.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of solicitude was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near solicitude

Cite this Entry

“Solicitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solicitude. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

solicitude

noun
so·​lic·​i·​tude sə-ˈlis-ə-ˌt(y)üd How to pronounce solicitude (audio)
1
: the state of being solicitous : anxiety
2
: too much care or attention

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