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

3
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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
Rosalina's detention has left her children traumatized and without the daily care and love that only a mother can give. Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025 Trees need care and maintenance, from mulching to pruning. Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 30 June 2025
Verb
Robust turf growth is often able to shrug off occasional grub pressure, so care well for your lawn by supplying necessary nutrients and water. Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 June 2025 Smith loved her family and cared deeply for Dan, but knew the situation wasn’t fair to either of them. Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 29 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for care
Recent Examples of Synonyms for care
Noun
  • Borden was eventually acquitted of the crimes, but the brutal nature of the murders attracted nationwide attention and contributed to Borden’s place in popular culture.
    Joe Otterson, Variety, 8 July 2025
  • Other issues such as the Iran strike commanded far more attention.
    Karlyn Bowman, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • Trump's business assets are held by the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust, which is controlled by his son, Donald Trump Jr., but government watchdog groups have nonetheless expressed concern about how Trump may be using his position as president to generate personal profits.
    Kelsey Walsh, ABC News, 1 July 2025
  • Environmental concerns about the airport’s impact on the Everglades halted plans to develop the facility further in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • Their visits to the ophthalmologist are now every six months, but Maggie admits the worry never quite fades.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 7 July 2025
  • Meanwhile, there was hand-wringing in the NASCAR garage over headlines about high crime and worries about whether the Cup Series cars would be able to have a good show on such a narrow course.
    Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 6 July 2025
Noun
  • The mogul — who has been in jail since September 2024 — was denied bail by Judge Arun Subramanian during the July 2 court date and will therefore have to remain in custody at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center until his sentencing on Oct. 3.
    Toria Sheffield, People.com, 7 July 2025
  • Police have a suspect in custody in that incident, the report said.
    Peter D'Abrosca, FOXNews.com, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • His stewardship of the state during the COVID-19 pandemic was roundly criticized as overreach by Republicans with some municipal leaders ignoring business shutdown orders.
    Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
  • Trade chips Under the stewardship of president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford and general manager Patrik Allvin, the Canucks have generally been an aggressive team on the trade market.
    Thomas Drance, New York Times, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • Resilience is more than traditional risk management, the report states.
    Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • Simply removing bears from the list and handing management to the states, which is the default after a species delisting, isn’t enough, says Chris Servheen — not when so much is still in flux.
    Christine Peterson, Vox, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Here’s how to catch the upcoming celestial sights: When to watch full moon in July in California The seventh full moon of 2025 will reach peak illumination at 1:36 p.m. on Thursday, July 10, according to online calendar Time and Date.
    Hannah Poukish July 8, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2025
  • Both of the above, said a handful of high-profile newsmakers the Herald asked to watch the show and informally review it.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • There was residual smoke in the aircraft and the situation was declared an emergency out of an abundance of caution, Delta said.
    July 7, CBS News, 7 July 2025
  • However, out of an abundance of caution, the FBI asks that the public avoid the area if possible.
    Dan Gooding Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025

Cite this Entry

“Care.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/care. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

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