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concern

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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
Intercontinental ballistic missiles from China, Russia, Iran and North Korea—the latter two of which have 10 or fewer but projected to have dozens by 2035—spark concern due to their incredible range, potentially allowing other nations to strike from the other side of the planet. Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025 At least a quarter of the F1 calendar is held in countries with significant human rights concerns, as documented in international human rights reports. Luke Smith, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Verb
All of these trends are concerning for a soon-to-be-32-year-old pitcher in the second season of a seven-year, $172 million contract. Matt Gelb, New York Times, 15 May 2025 More than 500 bills concerning AI safety, consumer protections or algorithmic bias that advanced in state legislatures this year could be sidelined if the moratorium becomes law, the Verge reported. Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for concern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for concern
Noun
  • There is little accountability for failures in the chain of command, and leadership is often in thrall to political interests, including the powerful correction union.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 14 May 2025
  • The trip seems to have renewed Trump's interest in revamping U.S. presidential aesthetics.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • Another request that was also denied spelled out similar worries.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2025
  • But that worry has gone into overdrive upon learning that Carlos’ body was found in the Truckee River.
    Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • Grant Lancaster covers crime, policing and breaking news for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
    Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 15 May 2025
  • It would still be covered when prescribed to treat diabetes, according to a Governor’s Office spokesperson.
    Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • The Trump administration’s recent shift toward U.S. isolationism regarding global affairs — and particularly those more acutely affecting Europe, such as the war in Ukraine — piled pressure on the U.K. and European Union to agree on a deal.
    Holly Ellyatt,Silvia Amaro, CNBC, 19 May 2025
  • There’s no cure for it, but it’s been affecting me for years.
    Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • That doesn’t mean the implication doesn’t bother him.
    Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
  • Or Xander Schauffele, the defending PGA champion who is surely not bothered by the lack of attention on him early this week.
    Brody Miller, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • On top of that, due to the surge in orders, more factories are increasing the minimum order size that companies are required to place.
    Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 18 May 2025
  • By 2024, the company made the final delivery of the limited run and announced its second model.
    Paul Ridden May 18, New Atlas, 18 May 2025
Noun
  • Madrid’s lack of defensive intensity means their opponents can progress upfield with little fear at times, knowing that Ancelotti’s forward line does not provide their team-mates the protection that comes with pressing from the front.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 10 May 2025
  • Krystal Sieben took her children to a horse ranch and watched as her 8-year-old son with autism, racked with fear, was on the verge of tears.
    Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • For no ads on those two streamers, the plan costs $44.99 per month (ads will be included on any tier of the ESPN. app).
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 14 May 2025
  • Additional houses that have recently been sold close by include: On Waterman Court, Danville, in February 2025, a 2,251-square-foot home was sold for $1,990,000, a price per square foot of $884.
    Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 14 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Concern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/concern. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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