carefulness

noun

Definition of carefulnessnext
1
as in caution
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 & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in attention
strict attentiveness to what one is doing a degree of carefulness is required to get the details just right

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in kindness
archaic attention accompanied by protectiveness and responsibility with what carefulness they tended the frail princess day and night!

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 carefulness This carefulness is clearly strategic. — Gary Sernovitz, New Yorker, 15 June 2026 There was no carefulness in it. — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 1 May 2026 Organizations can benefit by valuing carefulness and concentration not as an obligation, but as a fundamental pillar of success. — Heather V. MacArthur, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026 Just as essential a consideration as carefulness for committee members, though, is speed. — Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for carefulness
  1. caution
  2. attention
  3. kindness
  4. prudence
  5. meticulousness
  6. care
  7. attentiveness
  8. conscientiousness
Noun
  • Hunt said the new regulations are a step in the right direction but urged caution.
    — Laurie Udesky, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
  • Out of an abundance of caution, a new editor was assigned to the article, and new reviewers were selected while the investigation continued.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 30 July 2026
Definition of caution
Noun
  • As much as the Dolphins will be focused on the run as an offense, the defense should pay the same attention – if not more.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026
  • Public health cannot operate as a reactionary system that receives attention only during emergencies.
    — Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026
Definition of attention
Noun
  • Kind and caring, William, 12, enjoys looking out for others and showing kindness in everyday moments.
    — The Star, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026
  • Countless stories of Zeke’s kindness, bravery and commitment to a life of servitude took up the nearly eight-hour hearing.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
Definition of kindness
Noun
  • The World Economic Forum calls it financial nihilism — the conclusion that the system no longer rewards prudence, driving a cohort toward crypto bets, prediction markets, and raided retirement accounts.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 6 July 2026
  • But not necessarily the knowledge, confidence or contacts to take it to next stage of monetization, strike collaborative partnerships or exercise operational prudence.
    — Gaurav Sharma, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of prudence
Noun
  • Numerous photographers have published books with Steidl, which is known for the meticulousness of its printing process and the close relations that Gerhard Steidl established with artists.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 16 July 2026
  • In the filing, Lively’s lawyers say there’s a reason for their meticulousness.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 30 June 2026
Definition of meticulousness
Noun
  • The Alzheimer’s Research Association also notes that experts at memory clinics or specialized care settings should administer the test and interpret results alongside other clinical information.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026
  • No reasonable person would argue against providing animals with excellent medical care.
    — Marianne Pizzitola, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026
Definition of care
Noun
  • There’s an attentiveness to fellow-travellers who misread him, and a desire to understand what other people are looking for.
    — Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 14 July 2026
  • That attentiveness showed up in small ways throughout our stay.
    — Alisha Prakash, Travel + Leisure, 27 June 2026
Definition of attentiveness
Noun
  • The Big Five traits are openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism.
    — Refractor, Refractor, 27 July 2026
  • Empathy, service orientation and conscientiousness are genuine assets the for-profit world could learn from.
    — Patrick Jinks, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Definition of conscientiousness

Browse Nearby Words

carefully
carefulness
caregiver
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Carefulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/carefulness. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on carefulness

Nglish: Translation of carefulness for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of comely

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All