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
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of concerning
John Tufts, IndyStar, 14 Feb. 2026
These unauthorized deepfakes and voice clones of actors violate the most basic aspects of personal autonomy and should be deeply concerning to everyone.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
The findings are particularly concerning for Black women because many use hair extensions.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 12 Feb. 2026
The files are not findings of guilt, and some critics have raised concerns about releasing confidential and uncorroborated material concerning those who have not been charged with a crime.
—Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for concerning
Verb
Police should give demonstrators clear instructions concerning the dispersal order before they are arrested or charged with any crime, according to ACLU.
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 14 Feb. 2026
These unauthorized deepfakes and voice clones of actors violate the most basic aspects of personal autonomy and should be deeply concerning to everyone.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
The findings are particularly concerning for Black women because many use hair extensions.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 12 Feb. 2026
The files are not findings of guilt, and some critics have raised concerns about releasing confidential and uncorroborated material concerning those who have not been charged with a crime.
—Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for concerning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for concerning
Preposition
-
Metro Police detectives are continuing to investigate the shooting, and are in contact with the District Attorney’s Office regarding charging decisions.—
Vivian Jones,
Nashville Tennessean,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Was any decision made regarding reducing Partey’s media obligations?—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
The publication has doubled its presence the last year in the US, covering national politics, media, sports, and other beats.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Bieber’s revealing cowl-neck design featured an open back, a side boob-baring bodice, and intricate beads covering her halterneck dress’s hips, chest, and a sheer peekaboo mesh panel inside.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This will keep geese out of your yard without affecting its aesthetics.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
15 Feb. 2026
-
How much Texans are able to feel how the Comptrollers office is positively affecting their lives, making their lives safer, better, more affordable.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
One Florida resident reportedly hired a local mover without bothering to determine if the company was licensed, only to run into a boatload of trouble.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
-
If your knee is bothering you, for instance, the vibration might distract your brain enough for the pain to temporarily retreat.—
Jennifer Heimlich,
Time,
23 Jan. 2026
Preposition
-
When David Bazzel first approached then-University of Arkansas Athletic Director Frank Broyles about celebrating the top assistant coach in college football, Broyles said five months was not enough time to put on a first-class banquet.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
-
For the next five years, only one game per season was played in London, with many owners skeptical about sacrificing revenue from home games in a market dominated by the Premier League.—
Tom Chitty,
CNBC,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The approach allows a single sheet of material to perform multiple functions at once, including adaptive camouflage, information encryption and decryption, and shape morphing.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Bass and her campaign team have sought to highlight a list of accomplishments, including a steady decrease in homicides, a drop in street homelessness and her efforts to accelerate the construction of affordable housing.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The crackdown follows fatal crashes involving truck drivers who weren’t properly qualified, including incidents in Florida and Indiana that killed multiple people.—
Josh Funk,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
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Federal ethics rules generally bar government employees for one year from working on matters involving their former employers or clients.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Managing the genetic health of such a small population is essential for the species’ long-term viability, and the hair-collection method offers a noninvasive way to gather vital data without disturbing the wombats in their burrows.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
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The killings shocked the community, as did Caneiro's trial, which laid out disturbing details of betrayal and violence within the family.—
Christine Sloan,
CBS News,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Concerning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/concerning. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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