Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

carefulness

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of carefulness

1 a close attentiveness to avoiding danger

  • her natural carefulness keeps her from having car accidents and the high insurance premiums that go with them
Synonyms of carefulness

alertness, care, caution, cautiousness, chariness, circumspection, gingerliness, guardedness, heedfulness, prudence, wariness
Words Related to carefulness

attentiveness, observance, vigilance, watchfulness

foresight, foresightedness, providence

calculation, canniness, deliberateness, deliberation, shrewdness
Near Antonyms of carefulness

abruptness, hastiness, impetuousness, precipitousness, rashness, suddenness

inconsiderateness, inconsideration, thoughtlessness
Antonyms of carefulness

brashness, carelessness, heedlessness, incaution, incautiousness, recklessness, unwariness

2 strict attentiveness to what one is doing

  • a degree of carefulness is required to get the details just right
Synonyms of carefulness

care, closeness, conscientiousness, heed, heedfulness, meticulosity, meticulousness, pains, scrupulousness
Words Related to carefulness

advertence, advertency, attention, concentration, focus, observance, observation

alertness, mindfulness, vigilance, watchfulness

dutifulness, irreproachability, irreproachableness, punctiliousness, responsibility

bother, effort, painstaking, trouble

exactness, particularity, precision
Near Antonyms of carefulness

inadvertence, inadvertency, inattention, inobservance
Antonyms of carefulness

heedlessness, inattentiveness, negligence

3 archaic attention accompanied by protectiveness and responsibility

  • with what carefulness they tended the frail princess day and night!
Synonyms of carefulness

care, lovingness, solicitousness, solicitude
Words Related to carefulness

concern, considerateness, consideration, kindness, thoughtfulness

babying, coddling, pampering
Near Antonyms of carefulness

inconsiderateness, inconsideration, thoughtlessness, unconcern, unkindness
Antonyms of carefulness

carelessness

Learn More about carefulness

  1. Spanish Central: Translation of carefulness Nglish: Translation of carefulness for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of carefulness for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up carefulness? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games