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 That may account for the thrust of many early corporate statements about the Hamas attack, which tended to express solicitude for Israeli employees and their families and reiterate commitment to the Israeli market. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2023 See All Example Sentences for solicitude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for solicitude
Noun
  • Got thoughts, questions, ideas, concerns, compliments or maybe even some recs for me?
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • Key Takeaways Walmart warns tariffs will raise prices, triggering inflation concerns Markets seek tariff clarity; volatility trends suggest cautious optimism Retail earnings next week may reveal shifting consumer spending habits On Thursday, stocks closed mixed with the S&P 500 up 0.4%.
    JJ Kinahan, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • Madrid’s lack of defensive intensity means their opponents can progress upfield with little fear at times, knowing that Ancelotti’s forward line does not provide their team-mates the protection that comes with pressing from the front.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 10 May 2025
  • The governments of both Asian nations will start negotiations on a broad set of issues at a neutral site, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on X. The ceasefire comes after the Indian and Pakistani militaries targeted each others’ bases, fueling fears of an all-out war.
    Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • Researchers explored how prosocial behavior, acts of genuine kindness and concern for others influences perceptions of physical attractiveness.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • But Mike throws the man’s kindness back in his face by knocking him out and lifting his watch and wallet.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • Margin anxiety nonetheless prompted HF Sinclair to pause what had been a budding streak of annual dividend hikes since a little before the corporate merger.
    Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
  • As reported by First Post, Poland is holding a presidential election against a backdrop of growing security concerns, fueled by the ongoing war in neighboring Ukraine and anxiety over a potential U.S. retreat from European defense commitments under President Donald Trump.
    Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 May 2025
Noun
  • Last year, the national average price of child care was $13,128.
    Jade Walker, CNN Money, 15 May 2025
  • Keys, who could receive $5 million, did not receive proper medical care at the station and later suffered amputations, the suit continued.
    Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • The letter is a sign of growing ties between religious and AI safety groups, which share some of the same worries.
    Billy Perrigo, Time, 21 May 2025
  • Treasury yields and the value of the U.S. dollar held relatively stable after a brief jolt Monday morning when Moody’s Ratings said the U.S. government no longer deserves a top-tier credit rating because of worries about its spiraling debt.
    Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • The concept has sparked controversy, unease, amazement and confusion.
    Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 18 May 2025
  • What does this say about our current unease with the political system?
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 16 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Solicitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solicitude. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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