solicitude

noun

so·​lic·​i·​tude sə-ˈli-sə-ˌtüd 

-ˌtyüd

1

a

: the state of being concerned and anxious

b

: attentive care and protectiveness

also : an attitude of earnest concern or attention

expressed solicitude for his health

2

: a cause of care or concern

—usually used in plural

Synonyms

• agita
• agitation
• anxiety
• anxiousness
• apprehension
• apprehensiveness
• care
• concern
• concernment
• disquiet
• disquietude
• fear
• nervosity
• nervousness
• perturbation
• sweat
• unease
• uneasiness
• worry

Choose the Right Synonym for solicitude

care, concern, solicitude, anxiety, worry mean a troubled or engrossed state of mind or the thing that causes this.

care implies oppression of the mind weighed down by responsibility or disquieted by apprehension.

a face worn by years of care

concern implies a troubled state of mind because of personal interest, relation, or affection.

crimes caused concern in the neighborhood

solicitude implies great concern and connotes either thoughtful or hovering attentiveness toward another.

acted with typical maternal solicitude

anxiety stresses anguished uncertainty or fear of misfortune or failure.

plagued by anxiety and self-doubt

worry suggests fretting over matters that may or may not be real cause for anxiety.

financial worries

Examples of solicitude in a Sentence

He expressed solicitude for my health.

a growing solicitude over the possible results of the criminal investigation

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Wexner may also have enjoyed a certain amount of solicitude from Harvard associated with his relationship with Epstein. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

solicitude

noun

so·​lic·​i·​tude sə-ˈlis-ə-ˌt(y)üd 

1

: the state of being solicitous : anxiety

2

: too much care or attention