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 Even the Scotland Residents page on Facebook, usually seething with vitriol directed toward neighbors and local officials alike, was full of solicitude and suggestions and offers of help. Gary Greenberg, Harper's Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024 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 See All Example Sentences for solicitude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for solicitude
Noun
  • As the animals have become more common and occasionally prey on or attack pets, public concerns about coyotes attacking people, especially children, have increased.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 14 July 2025
  • In seconds, content appears without shipping or physical storage concerns.
    Vikrant Shaurya, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • Concerns of fear growing in migrant communities Mora said this issue runs deep for him and others who work in immigration law.
    Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 23 July 2025
  • Lean Into Peer Support A mental obstacle holding leaders back is avoiding support or peer groups out of fear of sharing ideas.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Noun
  • But his message will resound of kindness and creativity.
    Steve Baltin, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
  • Thanks to the kindness of strangers, Morosca was able to make the journey back to Louisiana and adopt the Lab.
    Jordan Greene, People.com, 18 July 2025
Noun
  • This can cause unnecessary anxiety and concern for the dog.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
  • This is the current situation: Certainly, a trend of appreciating precious metals is at work, but there is also the theme of ‘strategic and critical metals’ anxiety pushing platinum.
    Clem Chambers, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • The hospital system is managing the influx while providing necessary medical care to all those injured.
    Hollie Silverman Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 July 2025
  • The team has doubled down on human contact and personal care at a time when automation and artificial intelligence have dominated service models.
    William Jones, USA Today, 26 July 2025
Noun
  • The details for Alphabet will be necessary, as the stock has been held back by worries that artificial intelligence (AI) will disrupt their search business.
    Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
  • That has led to worries that demand from AI and the data centers that feed it will strain the electric grid and lead to higher electric bills — a real concern in California, where ratepayers already pay among the highest rates in the country.
    Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 July 2025
Noun
  • Other countries were still expressing unease, however.
    Brit Morse, Fortune, 6 July 2025
  • But progress on this front has been slow, most likely due to China’s increasing unease with Iranian foreign policy and doubts about its long-term stability.
    Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 22 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Solicitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solicitude. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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