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
  • The deployment has also raised concerns about racial profiling, wrongful arrests, and political pressure on law enforcement to align with federal immigration crackdowns.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2025
  • He was included on the short list of presidential candidates in 2022 when Democrats started airing concerns about then-President Joe Biden's ability to run for a second term.
    Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Just as essential a consideration as carefulness for committee members, though, is speed.
    Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 26 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Despite the occasional mutual love, progressives have argued that Sliwa has previously stoked racist fears and encouraged vigilante aggression.
    Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Glossier is supporting other alumni of its 5-year-old grant program this year because of the challenges so many of these emerging brands are facing—and despite political fear among many other companies to keep these kinds of programs going.
    Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • But Kwei, in the first display of mercy or kindness that Dek has ever seen, refuses to slay his own brother.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Dick Cheney was a great and good man who taught his children and grandchildren to love our country, and to live lives of courage, honor, love, kindness, and fly fishing.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • That driving tension and anxiety are largely thanks to the team of artisans, which included composer Volker Bertelmann, editor Kirk Baxter and sound designer Paul Ottosson, who worked closely behind the scenes on their respective crafts to bring it together.
    Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 25 Oct. 2025
  • That sense of anxiety is present throughout the book, most vividly in a wide shot of a group of cheerleaders rehearsing in a gym.
    Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Tabor and Sheriff Jay Cantrell both said the new quarantine space, along with other spaces being added for medical care, the intake and release of detainees, and court proceedings may allow the sheriff's office to open some areas to new programming.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The family is reflecting on their experience at Knollwood in the facility-care system.
    Marisa Peñaloza, NPR, 2 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • For Dillon Robertson, 32, money is a constant worry.
    Elena Moore, NPR, 2 Nov. 2025
  • The latter film was made based on the confessions of young people living in Latvia who openly spoke of patronizing teachers and parents, worries for the future and fears over fallout from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
    Will Tizard, Variety, 2 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • But each story adds to the uncertainty and unease in the air.
    Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The unease was amplified by the woman’s explanation that the prints appeared in an area of the apartment not easily accessed.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Solicitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solicitude. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.

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