care 1 of 2

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2
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

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

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
Any medical emergency that requires the administration of life-saving care should bring play to an end. Anne M. Peterson, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025 While this action may have appeared unusual to outsiders who are accustomed to immediate access to basic goods and services, this show of resilience and care—not to mention incredible physical and logistical coordination—was not a surprise to many. Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 3 May 2025
Verb
Paramount will care more than Cannes and more than McQuarrie. Thomas Page, CNN Money, 15 May 2025 A day later, Donald was back in the interview room — and finally, people cared once again about Donald, the golfer. Jordan Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for care
Recent Examples of Synonyms for care
Noun
  • When that connection fails, Peter quickly couples up with another guest, only to abandon her when his father gives him attention.
    Gary Levin, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • While Khalil’s case drew international attention, Abdalla has had to grapple with the anxieties of learning to be a mother.
    Aida Alami, New Yorker, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • Got thoughts, questions, ideas, concerns, compliments or maybe even some recs for me?
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • The social media posts came shortly after TMZ reported that Furlan and the Mötley Crue drummer have been living separately amid concerns over Lee's apparent drinking.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • The letter is a sign of growing ties between religious and AI safety groups, which share some of the same worries.
    Billy Perrigo, Time, 21 May 2025
  • Treasury yields and the value of the U.S. dollar held relatively stable after a brief jolt Monday morning when Moody’s Ratings said the U.S. government no longer deserves a top-tier credit rating because of worries about its spiraling debt.
    Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • Panahi’s presence in Cannes appears to be a signal to the outside world that Iran is, at least cosmetically, changing its course amid escalating tensions following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in September 2022 while she was held in custody for allegedly wearing a loose hijab.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 20 May 2025
  • Harris County inmate records reviewed by PEOPLE show Eberly remains in custody on a $2 million bond on the murder charge.
    Sean Neumann, People.com, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • Under the devoted stewardship of generations of visionary winemakers, Rioja has become one of the world’s top five wine regions alongside Bordeaux, Burgundy, Napa Valley, and Tuscany.
    Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 15 May 2025
  • Trump's re-entry into the White House was paved with promises of immediate recovery and boosted by the near-historically low confidence Americans held in Biden's stewardship of the economy.
    Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 May 2025
Noun
  • Leveraging a robust background in HR leadership, Josh previously directed transformative talent practices at Red Ventures as vice president of people operations, leading talent management, HR business partner, talent acquisition, and M&A integration during his tenure.
    Josh Tarr, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • The project still needs to be reviewed by the South Florida Water Management District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the two agencies responsible for Everglades restoration and water management in South Florida.
    Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and his delegation watched in stunned silence at footage that Trump believed supported his claims that Ramaphosa’s government was turning a blind eye to violence against white Afrikaners.
    Brian Bennett, Time, 22 May 2025
  • At that time, Pelley spoke positively about his first impressions of watching Shanahan and Leafs general manager Brad Treliving work together.
    Chris Johnston, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • At this point, the only people who may want to avoid taurine-containing energy drinks based on these findings are those who currently have, or are in remission from, leukemia—and that’s out of an abundance of caution.
    Jamie Ducharme, Health, 20 May 2025
  • Objects that are outdoors should be secured and caution should be taken if driving.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 19 May 2025

Cite this Entry

“Care.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/care. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

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