concern 1 of 2

Definition of concernnext

concern

2 of 2

verb

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2
as in to affect
to be the business or affair of the problems of air and water pollution that concern all of us

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word concern distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of concern are anxiety, care, solicitude, and worry. While all these words mean "a troubled or engrossed state of mind or the thing that causes this," concern implies a troubled state of mind because of personal interest, relation, or affection.

crimes caused concern in the neighborhood

When could anxiety be used to replace concern?

In some situations, the words anxiety and concern are roughly equivalent. However, anxiety stresses anguished uncertainty or fear of misfortune or failure.

plagued by anxiety and self-doubt

When is care a more appropriate choice than concern?

The words care and concern are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, care implies oppression of the mind weighed down by responsibility or disquieted by apprehension.

a face worn by years of care

When can solicitude be used instead of concern?

The synonyms solicitude and concern are sometimes interchangeable, but solicitude implies great concern and connotes either thoughtful or hovering attentiveness toward another.

acted with typical maternal solicitude

When is it sensible to use worry instead of concern?

While the synonyms worry and concern are close in meaning, 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 concern
Noun
New concerns for Taiwan What should truly worry Taiwan is American attention being consumed by this region. Bobby Ghosh, Time, 6 Jan. 2026 European leaders’ concerns were heightened following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
Equally concerning to democracy defenders is its rhetoric chastising European democracies and apparent willingness to elevate political parties in Europe that reject human rights. Shelley Inglis, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026 The Kelly story concerned the Arizona senator possibly being demoted from his retired Navy rank of captain. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for concern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for concern
Noun
  • That critique of American foreign policy – that US high-mindedness and democratic idealism conceal naked corporate interests – persisted through the Cold War and into the 21st Century.
    Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Health care, housing, and education would be built to be affordable, driven by real results from the bottom up--not by party interests trickling down.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Meanwhile Syria remains scarred by years of conflict and nationals in Germany are looking on at the debate with mounting worry.
    Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Leaders at big carmakers spelled out their worries in the latest round of earnings calls, saying that finding a replacement for Nexperia at scale in the short term will be difficult.
    Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • On April 16, a week after that panicked text message from Banfield, Wynn floated another proposal to the bank, this time asking if the school could get a line of credit to cover expenses through the summer.
    Jennifer Palmer, Oklahoma Watch, 9 Jan. 2026
  • The lush gardens are spread across about a dozen acres and feature a mix of styles, including a traditional Valencian space with Moorish influences, sprawling greenhouses, and pergolas covered in swaths of roses.
    Liz Provencher, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 Jan. 2026
  • But law enforcement experts told CNN the dragging incident last summer could have affected his decision-making – though how such an experience impacts law enforcement varies from officer to officer.
    Mark Morales, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Take a seat on an icy throne—the cold never bothered you anyway.
    Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Don’t bother wasting your money—using it more than once a day won’t yield ‘better’ or faster results.
    Ali Pantony, Glamour, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • How did the company become an iconic brand?
    Alexander Coolidge, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Looking beyond consumers The company does not see TRINITY as only a consumer product.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • A lot of people get drawn into the fear, distracted by the thoughts in their head.
    Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Many immigrant customers haven’t returned, while five of his former employees, despite having working papers, left Charlotte permanently out of fear.
    Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Molinaro’s visit will include a ride on the Blue Line and a roundtable with local officials and business leaders, according to Cagle.
    Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 8 Jan. 2026
  • All programs — including athletics, community education and adult education — are cancelled Thursday and Friday.
    WCCO Staff, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Concern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/concern. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

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