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
Allison Schrager, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
Documents concerning UAPs are commonly ensnared with such sensitive intelligence that could impact national security if publicly disclosed, and would implicate a thorough declassification process.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 7 Mar. 2026
The watchdog filed complaints concerning Halligan with the Florida and Virginia bar associations.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 6 Mar. 2026
Liverpool had raced into a 3-0 first-half lead but showed concerning vulnerability in defence all game, and were ultimately grateful to a late Axel Disasi own goal to settle their nerves.
—Tom Burrows, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for concerning
Verb
Even more concerning is that educational standards are weakening at both the secondary and post-secondary level.
—Allison Schrager, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
Documents concerning UAPs are commonly ensnared with such sensitive intelligence that could impact national security if publicly disclosed, and would implicate a thorough declassification process.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 7 Mar. 2026
The watchdog filed complaints concerning Halligan with the Florida and Virginia bar associations.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 6 Mar. 2026
Liverpool had raced into a 3-0 first-half lead but showed concerning vulnerability in defence all game, and were ultimately grateful to a late Axel Disasi own goal to settle their nerves.
—Tom Burrows, New York Times, 28 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 trumpet creeper climbs by aerial roots to heights of 30 to 40 feet and will grow in the most challenging spots, covering an ugly wall, fence, or other structure in one growing season.—
Zoe Gowen,
Southern Living,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Taking a job with the post office to support his growing family, Mosley in the 1950s worked side gigs writing for the Pittsburgh Courier and for the magazines Ebony, Sepia, and Jet, covering jazz and sports.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 5% on Monday as oil prices surged to nearly $120 a barrel, driven by Middle East war disruptions affecting global oil supplies.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The closing of the strait is affecting Gulf producers unevenly and testing the limits of their contingency plans.—
Amena Bakr,
semafor.com,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Mass incarceration has led to a fast-growing bloc of citizens who either are legally barred from voting or have just stopped bothering.—
Kevin B. Smith,
The Conversation,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Stop bothering me with things that don’t make sense.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
Preposition
-
Advice columnist Carolyn Hax takes your comments and questions most Fridays about life, family, relationships and more.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
27 Mar. 2026
-
An agency spokesperson referred questions about the project to the Justice Department, which did not respond to a list of questions about the project's environmental impact sent last month.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Human rights groups have reported that more than 1,000 people have been killed by US-Israeli strikes since Saturday, including children.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Based in Vevey, Switzerland, Nestlé also makes hot chocolate and cookie dough, and has stakes in popular brands including Cheerios and Häagen-Dazs.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In 2024, Disney faced backlash after attempting to use a Disney+ trial subscription contract to block a wrongful death lawsuit involving one of its park properties.—
Joshua Sidorowicz,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Police body camera footage released by the Connecticut Office of Inspector General Inspector showed Walker brandishing a knife and raised the blade toward a policeman who had fallen over during a scuffle in the apartment involving Walker and his family members.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Shuttle buses often pause to allow passengers to observe animals without disturbing them.—
Karthika Gupta,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Mar. 2026
-
According to investigators, multiple officers were called to the gas station after reports of an intoxicated man who was disturbing customers.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Concerning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/concerning. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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