Synonym Chooser

How is the word solicitude distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of solicitude are anxiety, care, concern, and worry. While all these words mean "a troubled or engrossed state of mind or the thing that causes this," solicitude implies great concern and connotes either thoughtful or hovering attentiveness toward another.

acted with typical maternal solicitude

When could anxiety be used to replace solicitude?

Although the words anxiety and solicitude have much in common, anxiety stresses anguished uncertainty or fear of misfortune or failure.

plagued by anxiety and self-doubt

In what contexts can care take the place of solicitude?

The words care and solicitude can be used in similar contexts, but care implies oppression of the mind weighed down by responsibility or disquieted by apprehension.

a face worn by years of care

When can concern be used instead of solicitude?

The words concern and solicitude are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, concern implies a troubled state of mind because of personal interest, relation, or affection.

crimes caused concern in the neighborhood

When is it sensible to use worry instead of solicitude?

The meanings of worry and solicitude largely overlap; however, 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 solicitude Nature has made this a necessity: Without constant care and solicitude, an infant will die. Roxana Robinson, TIME, 18 July 2024 This idea will add the inducements of philanthropy to those of patriotism, to heighten the solicitude which all considerate and good men must feel for the event. Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 30 May 2024 That’s surely what accounts for the solicitude that the cryptocurrency industry has been receiving from Congress. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2024 Realistically, however, Mexico faces a tough fight in a Supreme Court that’s shown a great deal of solicitude for the gun industry — even in cases that don’t involve a federal statute that protects gun companies from liability. Ian Millhiser, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018 See All Example Sentences for solicitude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for solicitude
Noun
  • In 2024, the European Union opted to not renew its approval for Sulfuryl Fluoride citing concerns over risks to human health and the environment.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Duan says this practice is increasingly prevalent within China’s CAE industry, partly to allay clients’ concerns about data security.
    Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Just as essential a consideration as carefulness for committee members, though, is speed.
    Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 26 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Last week, the VIX—Wall Street’s fear gauge—spiked to its highest level since April before easing, amid new trade policy uncertainties.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Amazon Web Services suffers widespread outage MAJOR HEADLINES BAYOU MYSTERY – Democrat mayor's 'gaslighting' amid serial killer fears called out by grieving family.
    , FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In the end, even kindness comes with a price tag.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Likewise, the children of the late Minnesota Speaker of the House who was gunned down last summer, Melissa Hortman, also reminded us that the only way out is to treat each other with kindness and respect—a useful message for our political leaders and fellow citizens to heed.
    Time, Time, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • But last week saw an observable upwelling of anxiety, reflecting a break of the preceding low-volatility climb and some possible pent-up selling from historically elevated equity allocations.
    Michael Santoli, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2025
  • That anxiety is reflected in the polling.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The strike, the largest ever for Kaiser unions, began less than a week ago, with the healthcare giant flying in thousands of replacement staff from around the country to fill critical patient care jobs.
    Pat Maio, Oc Register, 19 Oct. 2025
  • And there’s no denying the importance of county health services, which treat 40% of county residents and deliver 80% of trauma care.
    Mercury News Editorial, Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Executives and industry watchers say the sector has fared better than expected, but there are now growing worries around the health of consumers and suppliers, CNBC’s Michael Wayland reports.
    Alex Harring, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2025
  • As the days without their parents pass, their worries grow.
    Maria Santana, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Dekoda’s appeal will depend on how much users value real-time health insights over the unease of allowing AI into their most private space.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Adding to the unease, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon warned of rising credit risk during the earnings call, citing the recent bankruptcies of Tricolor Holdings, a subprime auto lender, and First Brands, an auto parts manufacturer.
    Benzinga, Freep.com, 18 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Solicitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solicitude. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

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