care 1 of 2

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as in concern
attention accompanied by protectiveness and responsibility that's an extremely valuable violin, so handle it with care

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

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care

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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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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.
Recent Examples of care
Noun
That’s exactly what Regina Black does in August Lane — dig through the complexities of being Black in the country music scene with care and precision. Rachel Runya Katz, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025 While somewhat off-putting in concept, the delicate beads of hair reflect the time and care that was poured into the piece by Hatoum. Sophia Arndt, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
These furry animals didn't care to purchase a gym membership. Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025 Democracy is people, and in all of our tradition, care about the people. Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for care
Recent Examples of Synonyms for care
Noun
  • The sequel, set for October 2026, centers on a young Facebook engineer named Frances Haugen (played by Mikey Madison) who teams up with Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horwitz (Jeremy Allen White) on a risky mission to bring attention to Facebook’s biggest secrets.
    Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Mamdani is going to be the mayor of their district, of their -- of their city, and that's why there's so much attention on this.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In 2024, the European Union opted to not renew its approval for Sulfuryl Fluoride citing concerns over risks to human health and the environment.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Duan says this practice is increasingly prevalent within China’s CAE industry, partly to allay clients’ concerns about data security.
    Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Just as essential a consideration as carefulness for committee members, though, is speed.
    Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 26 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Executives and industry watchers say the sector has fared better than expected, but there are now growing worries around the health of consumers and suppliers, CNBC’s Michael Wayland reports.
    Alex Harring, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2025
  • As the days without their parents pass, their worries grow.
    Maria Santana, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Oselmo attempted to flee the area by jumping from a second story window, but was taken quickly into custody by deputy marshals, the release states.
    NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Authorities took 27-year-old Steven Tyler Whitehead into custody on a charge of murder, per the sheriff's office's statement, though Mills was still alive at the time of the arrest.
    Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • They were heartened by their peers’ interest in reclaiming land stewardship practices and ensuring access for future generations.
    Fortune, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025
  • James spoke to his goal of strengthening each of the sheriff's office's three pillars of safety, service and stewardship.
    Killian Baarlaer, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • That money is being taken away from habitat management, stocking and improving fisheries for anglers.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2025
  • In fact, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid’s camp asked the company about the marker, Gina Lázaro, VP of brand management at Sharpie’s parent company, Newell Brands, told Fortune in an exclusive interview.
    Nino Paoli, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Olivia Culpo, wife of San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey and mother of their 4-month-old daughter Colette, balanced a comfy and stylish game day ‘fit with pumping gear, and, by her own admission, a wild hangover while watching her husband’s team triumph over the Atlanta Falcons.
    Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 20 Oct. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Care.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/care. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

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