Synonyms of care

care 1 of 2

noun

ˈker 

1

as in attention

strict attentiveness to what one is doing

reading the report with more care the second time, she detected several errors

Synonyms & Similar Words

• attention
• carefulness
• effort
• pains
• precision
• heed
• meticulousness
• conscientiousness
• scrupulousness
• concentration
• meticulosity
• focus
• observation
• heedfulness
• responsibility
• closeness
• vigilance
• mindfulness
• watchfulness
• observance
• alertness
• painstaking
• bother
• advertency
• punctiliousness
• trouble
• exactness
• advertence
• irreproachability
• dutifulness
• particularity
• irreproachableness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• negligence
• inattentiveness
• heedlessness
• inattention
• inadvertence
• inadvertency
• inobservance

2

as in concern

attention accompanied by protectiveness and responsibility

that's an extremely valuable violin, so handle it with care

Synonyms & Similar Words

• concern
• carefulness
• kindness
• solicitude
• solicitousness
• consideration
• lovingness
• thoughtfulness
• considerateness
• pampering
• coddling
• babying

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• carelessness
• unconcern
• thoughtlessness
• unkindness
• inconsiderateness
• inconsideration

3

as in carefulness

a close attentiveness to avoiding danger

take care while crossing the street

Synonyms & Similar Words

• carefulness
• caution
• prudence
• attentiveness
• circumspection
• alertness
• wariness
• cautiousness
• vigilance
• chariness
• guardedness
• watchfulness
• gingerliness
• heedfulness
• observance
• calculation
• foresight
• providence
• deliberation
• deliberateness
• foresightedness
• shrewdness
• canniness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• carelessness
• recklessness
• heedlessness
• brashness
• suddenness
• abruptness
• incaution
• hastiness
• rashness
• impetuousness
• incautiousness
• unwariness
• precipitousness
• thoughtlessness
• inconsiderateness
• inconsideration

4

as in worry

an uneasy state of mind usually over the possibility of an anticipated misfortune or trouble

on vacation, without a care in the world

Synonyms & Similar Words

• concern
• worry
• fear
• anxiety
• concernment
• unease
• solicitude
• perturbation
• uncertainty
• fearfulness
• agitation
• uneasiness
• tension
• nervousness
• disquietude
• doubt
• disquiet
• anxiousness
• apprehension
• stress
• panic
• discomfort
• desperation
• sweat
• apprehensiveness
• anguish
• nervosity
• agita
• distress
• dread
• upset
• tremor
• desperateness
• disturbance
• angst
• dismay
• consternation
• suspense
• strain
• alarm
• torment
• jitters
• hand-wringing
• discomposure
• distraction
• compunction
• cold feet
• qualm
• jumpiness
• vexation
• edginess
• presentiment
• franticness
• scruple
• incertitude
• misgiving
• foreboding

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• content
• unconcern
• peace
• ease
• contentment
• calm
• serenity
• tranquility
• relief
• quiet
• calmness
• comfort
• easiness
• quietude
• peacefulness
• consolation
• placidity
• solace
• tranquilness
• placidness
• sereneness

5

as in custody

responsibility for the safety and well-being of someone or something

while you're under my care, you'll do as you're told

Synonyms & Similar Words

• custody
• guardianship
• control
• management
• safekeeping
• trust
• custodianship
• ward
• hand(s)
• supervision
• keeping
• superintendence
• governorship

6

as in stewardship

the duty or function of watching or guarding for the sake of proper direction or control

you'll have care of the project from its beginning to its completion

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stewardship
• supervision
• oversight
• management
• control
• leadership
• charge
• guidance
• policing
• surveillance
• regulation
• superintendence
• administration
• monitoring
• government
• superintendency
• observation
• headship
• direction
• observing
• protection
• running
• observance
• steering
• guardianship
• piloting
• rule
• generalship
• shepherding
• hand(s)
• auspices
• reign
• trusteeship
• tutelage
• aegis

7

as in management

the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something

she stepped up and took over the care of the bank after her father retired

Synonyms & Similar Words

• management
• supervision
• control
• handling
• operation
• administration
• stewardship
• oversight
• direction
• government
• governance
• guidance
• regulation
• leadership
• presidency
• charge
• running
• conduct
• superintendence
• custody
• superintendency
• intendance
• protection
• trust
• agency
• guardianship
• logistics
• safekeeping
• engineering
• manipulation
• ward
• keeping
• lap
• rulership
• tutelage
• generalship
• aegis
• comanagement
• codirection
• machination
• coadministration

care

2 of 2

verb

as in to watch

to have an interest or concern for

a teacher who cares what happens to her students long after they leave her classroom

Synonyms & Similar Words

• watch
• mind
• notice
• regard
• look out (for)
• attend
• heed
• feel (for)
• observe
• note
• sympathize (with)
• empathize (with)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignore
• disregard
• overlook

Synonym Chooser

How is the word care distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of care are anxiety, concern, solicitude, and worry. While all these words 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

When can anxiety be used instead of care?

The meanings of anxiety and care largely overlap; however, anxiety stresses anguished uncertainty or fear of misfortune or failure.

plagued by anxiety and self-doubt

When might concern be a better fit than care?

While in some cases nearly identical to care, concern implies a troubled state of mind because of personal interest, relation, or affection.

crimes caused concern in the neighborhood

When would solicitude be a good substitute for care?

Although the words solicitude and care have much in common, solicitude implies great concern and connotes either thoughtful or hovering attentiveness toward another.

acted with typical maternal solicitude

Where would worry be a reasonable alternative to care?

The words worry and care are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, worry suggests fretting over matters that may or may not be real cause for anxiety.

financial worries

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of care

Noun

This amounted to medical care, resources to contain the outbreak, and lost wages and productivity from caregivers who stayed home with their children during quarantine. —Allison Ong, Sun Sentinel, 12 Jan. 2026

Leather is sturdy and supportive, but requires a break-in period and extra care. —Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 12 Jan. 2026

Verb

In some areas, mortality is rising again, particularly among younger adults and populations that have historically faced barriers to care. —Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 12 Jan. 2026

The fact that people care about this means a lot to both of us. —Brad Quick, CNBC, 12 Jan. 2026

Phrases Containing care

• care (for)
• care a hang
• care and feeding
• take care of