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View synonyms for concern

concern

[ kuhn-surn ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to relate to; be connected with; be of interest or importance to; affect:

    The water shortage concerns us all.

    Synonyms: involve, touch

  2. to interest or engage (used reflexively or in the passive, often followed by with or in ):

    She concerns herself with every aspect of the business.

  3. to trouble, worry, or disquiet:

    I am concerned about his health.

    Synonyms: disturb



noun

  1. something that relates or pertains to a person; business; affair:

    Law is the concern of lawyers.

  2. a matter that engages a person's attention, interest, or care, or that affects a person's welfare or happiness:

    The party was no concern of his.

    Synonyms: responsibility, burden

  3. worry, solicitude, or anxiety:

    to show concern for someone in trouble.

    Antonyms: indifference

  4. important relation or bearing:

    This news is of concern to all of us.

  5. a commercial or manufacturing company or establishment:

    the headquarters of an insurance concern.

    Synonyms: house, firm

  6. Informal. any material object or contrivance.

concern

/ kənˈsɜːn /

verb

  1. to relate to; be of importance or interest to; affect
  2. usually foll bywith or in to involve or interest (oneself)

    he concerns himself with other people's affairs

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. something that affects or is of importance to a person; affair; business
  2. regard for or interest in a person or a thing

    he felt a strong concern for her

  3. anxiety, worry, or solicitude
  4. important bearing or relation

    his news has great concern for us

  5. a commercial company or enterprise
  6. informal.
    a material thing, esp one of which one has a low opinion
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Words From

  • over·con·cern noun verb (used with object)
  • precon·cern noun verb (used with object)
  • self-con·cern noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of concern1

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English concernen, from Middle French concerner, from Medieval Latin concernere “to relate to, distinguish,” from Late Latin: “to mix for sifting,” from Latin con- con- + cernere “to decide, separate, sift”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of concern1

C15: from Late Latin concernere to mingle together, from Latin com- together + cernere to sift, distinguish
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Idioms and Phrases

see as far as that goes (is concerned) ; to whom it may concern .
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Example Sentences

"This investigation has caused significant distress for Ms Pearson and a large amount of public concern," he said.

From BBC

He noted this weekend’s rain could help ease some fire concerns, but likely will not eliminate those worries entirely.

Still, how much of a concern is a few days of a “bad look” in a post-“Access Hollywood” tape world?

From Salon

“We want to assure our customers that this is not indicative of worms or any health concerns,” the statement added.

From Salon

The deals with the Adani group were hugely unpopular in the country, and there were concerns of corruption.

From BBC

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When To Use

What are other ways to say concern?

As a noun, concern means “worry, solicitude, or anxiety.” How does concern compare to care and worry? Learn more on Thesaurus.com.

More About Concern

What is a basic definition of concern?

Concern means to relate to or to affect, to interest or engage, or to worry. Concern also has several senses as a noun.

If an issue or problem concerns someone, it means that it involves them or will affect them personally.

  • Real-life examples: The price of gas concerns drivers. Stock market prices concern investors. Global warming concerns everyone.
  • Used in a sentence: Our conversation doesn’t concern you, so leave us alone. 

As a noun, this sense of concern means something that is closely related to something else or something that is a main focus.

  • Used in a sentence: Fires are the concern of the fire department. 

Concern can also mean to interest someone or draw their attention. In this sense, it is often followed by with or in.

  • Real-life examples: You might concern yourself with your friend’s problem because you care about them. When you’re taking a test, your teacher might remind students to be concerned only with their own papers. Your parents concern themselves with your health.
  • Used in a sentence: Chuck doesn’t concern himself with other people’s problems. 

Concern is used as a noun in this sense to mean a matter or issue that a person cares about.

  • Used in a sentence: What my neighbors do to their lawn is no concern of mine. 

Lastly, concern means to worry or cause anxiety.

  • Real-life examples: You might be concerned about your grades. Politicians are often concerned about whether voters will keep voting for them. Your friend might be concerned about whether you both make the basketball team.
  • Used in a sentence: Her brother’s failing health really concerns Joelene,  and she has been losing sleep over it. 

As a noun, concern is a synonym of words such as worry or anxiety.

  • Used in a sentence: We try to ease parents’ concern by showing them that the school is completely safe and monitored. 

Where does concern come from?

The first records of concern come from around 1375. It ultimately comes from the Medieval Latin concernere, meaning “to relate to” or “to distinguish.”

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to concern?

  • concerning (preposition, adjective, present tense verb)
  • unconcern (noun)
  • unconcerned (adjective)
  • overconcern (noun, verb)
  • preconcern (noun, verb)
  • self-concern (noun)

What are some synonyms for concern?

What are some words that share a root or word element with concern

What are some words that often get used in discussing concern?

How is concern used in real life?

Concern is a common word that often means something matters to someone or causes them anxiety.

Try using concern!

Which of the following words is a synonym of concern?

A. relief
B. worry
C. apathy
D. happiness

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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