as in regarding
having to do with
we had a meeting with the principal today concerning the new policy on student-run organizations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in covering
to have (something) as a subject matter
the book concerns the challenges faced by children growing up in single-parent households
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in affecting
to be the business or affair of
the problems of air and water pollution that concern all of us
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in bothering
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
we were greatly concerned by reports that yet another previously unknown virus is now posing a threat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of concerning
Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
The Consumer Reports findings are potentially concerning for them as well, given that surveys suggest a growing number of children and teens are using protein supplements, including shakes and powders.
—Rob Williams, EverydayHealth.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, a federal appeals court heard arguments concerning a lower court's order that blocked the deployment of National Guard troops in Portland.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
Host Kelly Ripa ended the morning's host chat by sharing a moderately concerning development about their guest for the day.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for concerning
Verb
Jenni Hermoso and Mapi Leon have been included in a Spain squad for the first time in more than a year after multiple controversies concerning the national team.
—Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
The Consumer Reports findings are potentially concerning for them as well, given that surveys suggest a growing number of children and teens are using protein supplements, including shakes and powders.
—Rob Williams, EverydayHealth.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, a federal appeals court heard arguments concerning a lower court's order that blocked the deployment of National Guard troops in Portland.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
Host Kelly Ripa ended the morning's host chat by sharing a moderately concerning development about their guest for the day.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for concerning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for concerning
Preposition
-
Was any decision made regarding reducing Partey’s media obligations?—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
-
The tragedy is still under investigation but concerns have been raised regarding congested airspace and understaffed air traffic control facilities at Reagan National.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Protest-goers told the Idaho Statesman about a variety of motivations for showing up, mostly covering civil liberties — rights for immigrants, women and transgender people — and Trump’s authoritarian actions.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
19 Oct. 2025
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Remigration in action CNN reporter Barbie Latza Nadeau has spent years covering immigration and tracing the rise of the far right in Italian politics.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Economic anxiety is also affecting perceptions of job security.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Based on the Peter Straub novel of the same name, John Irvin's chilly and affecting Ghost Story is cloaked in snow, leather, and firelight.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The dog recognizes that something is amiss, but isn’t capable of understanding what’s really bothering Todd.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2025
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The injury that will sideline Herro to begin this season is one that had been bothering him for a few months.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
29 Sep. 2025
Preposition
-
Grieving Vince, worrying about Bode, and taking care of her Cal Fire family is a lot to balance.—
Alamin Yohannes,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
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The bad news is that there are already murmurs in Brussels about piecemeal, incremental measures – harmonizing certain national laws, creating yet another framework for EU member states to fuss over and interpret.—
Jan Hammer,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Choose from nine colors, including black, khaki, and purple.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
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The late-afternoon delivers several exciting matchups, including Colts-Chargers and Commanders-Cowboys.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Angus Cloud, who played drug dealer Fezco, died after season two; the second season ended on a major cliff-hanger involving his character.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Oct. 2025
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What ensues is a community-wide frenzy involving the kids’ teacher, their parents, the local police, and the one kid in class who conspicuously remained.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This ensures smooth energy transfer without disturbing the lake’s ecosystem.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Oct. 2025
-
His landscapes are muddy and void, prone to sudden invasion by disturbing strangers, including the giant whale carcass that arrives on a train at the beginning of his 1989 novel, The Melancholy of Resistance.—
Walt Hunter,
The Atlantic,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Concerning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/concerning. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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