concern
1 of 2verb
con·cern kən-ˈsərn 
concerned; concerning; concerns
transitive verb
1
a
: to relate to : be about
The novel concerns three soldiers.
The report concerns global warming.
b
: to bear on
2
: to have an influence on : involve
also : to be the business or affair of
The problem concerns us all.
This conversation does not concern you.
3
: to be a care, trouble, or distress to
Her ill health concerns me.
Her son's frequent tantrums concerned her.
4
: engage entry 1, occupy
He concerns himself with trivia.
She refused to concern herself with such gossip.
intransitive verb
obsolete : to be of importance : matter
concern
2 of 2noun
1
a
: marked interest or regard usually arising through a personal tie or relationship
Their friend's health is a constant cause of concern.
b
: an uneasy state of blended interest, uncertainty, and apprehension
The actor's sudden collapse on stage caused concern.
2
: something that relates or belongs to one : affair
It's no concern of yours.
3
a
: matter for consideration
Immigration had become a concern to Congress.
b
: a matter that causes feelings of unease, uncertainty, or apprehension
health/safety concerns
"Just throw it into the sun!" That phrase has long been the seemingly easy answer to … very serious concerns about what to do with nuclear waste.
Dave Trumbore
Dave Trumbore4
: an organization or establishment for business or manufacture
a banking concern
a commercial concern
5
: contrivance, gadget
Synonyms
Verb
- cover
- deal (with)
- pertain (to)
- treat (of)
Noun
- business
- company
- enterprise
- establishment
- firm
- house
- interest
- outfit
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb The novel concerns three soldiers. This study concerns the noise levels in cities. This conversation doesn't concern you. Our mother's illness concerns us. Noun They have expressed concern about the cost of the project. There is some concern that the economy might worsen. I share your concern about these problems. Their friend's health is a constant source of concern. The governor needs to address voters' concerns about the economy. They have raised concerns about the cost of the project. Their friend's health is a constant concern. His concern with the well-being of his family is obvious. She has always shown genuine concern for the poor. I appreciate your concern, but there's really nothing you can do to help. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Nathan Baird, cleveland, 23 Aug. 2022 Teresa Thorne, executive director of the Alliance for Food and Farming, a nonprofit that represents organic and conventional farmers, says EWG's lists concern her. Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2022 Smart said coaches prepare for the unknown, but players don’t need to concern themselves with the game-within-the game aspect of things. James Crepea | The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 29 Aug. 2022 The MacTigr is wired, so there's no need to concern yourself over lag or latency. Anthony Karcz, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 Hobson’s method was a boon to farmers—and irrelevant to contemporary funeral directors, who tended to concern themselves with impeding rather than accelerating decay. Lauren Oster, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 July 2022 As far-right sentiment surges in France ahead of April’s presidential elections — and lawmakers continue to concern themselves with hijab bans — the time is urgently right for artists to challenge the country’s enduring history of Islamophobia. Guy Lodge, Variety, 10 Feb. 2022 Maybe, but Rue's too busy with her suitcase of drugs to concern herself with an erstwhile girlfriend. Lauren Puckett-pope, ELLE, 24 Jan. 2022 Washington County • Terry Lamoreaux says two things concern him: wildfires and drought. Kolbie Peterson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Aug. 2022 Adam Feuerstein, STAT, 16 Sep. 2022 The resolution expressed grave concern that Russia hadn’t stopped military actions against and at nuclear facilities in Ukraine. Yaroslav Trofimov, WSJ, 15 Sep. 2022 One concern focuses on Title 2 of the act, which includes a section to amend previous Taiwan legislation, the Taiwan Relations Act, by expanding the terms under which the US might supply weapons to Taiwan. Daniel Flatley, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Sep. 2022 López Obrador abandoned the highway route after hotel owners voiced objections, and cost and traffic interruptions became a concern. Mark Stevenson, USA TODAY, 15 Sep. 2022 The flare-up in violence has raised international concern, with Russia, United States, France and the European Union calling for restraint and stepping up diplomatic efforts to end the fighting. Reuters, NBC News, 14 Sep. 2022 But for some of those gathered outside the CTA headquarters, service remained a concern. Sarah Freishtat, Chicago Tribune, 14 Sep. 2022 Amid rising concern over Bolduc's polling lead late into the primary race, Republicans in Washington and Concord mobilized to blunt his momentum. Bytal Axelrod, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2022 Rather than having to make substantial changes, Apple can simply refine Safety Check and Lockdown Mode to address the latest concern. WIRED, 14 Sep. 2022 See More
Verb
That versatility is one reason Walton said depth issues do not concern him long-term. Nathan Baird, cleveland, 23 Aug. 2022 Teresa Thorne, executive director of the Alliance for Food and Farming, a nonprofit that represents organic and conventional farmers, says EWG's lists concern her. Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2022 Smart said coaches prepare for the unknown, but players don’t need to concern themselves with the game-within-the game aspect of things. James Crepea | The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 29 Aug. 2022 The MacTigr is wired, so there's no need to concern yourself over lag or latency. Anthony Karcz, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 Hobson’s method was a boon to farmers—and irrelevant to contemporary funeral directors, who tended to concern themselves with impeding rather than accelerating decay. Lauren Oster, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 July 2022 As far-right sentiment surges in France ahead of April’s presidential elections — and lawmakers continue to concern themselves with hijab bans — the time is urgently right for artists to challenge the country’s enduring history of Islamophobia. Guy Lodge, Variety, 10 Feb. 2022 Maybe, but Rue's too busy with her suitcase of drugs to concern herself with an erstwhile girlfriend. Lauren Puckett-pope, ELLE, 24 Jan. 2022 Washington County • Terry Lamoreaux says two things concern him: wildfires and drought. Kolbie Peterson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Aug. 2022 Noun
But the new data also show lung cancer patients are not benefiting from Lumakras as much as previously hoped, and liver toxicity remains a safety concern. Adam Feuerstein, STAT, 16 Sep. 2022 The resolution expressed grave concern that Russia hadn’t stopped military actions against and at nuclear facilities in Ukraine. Yaroslav Trofimov, WSJ, 15 Sep. 2022 One concern focuses on Title 2 of the act, which includes a section to amend previous Taiwan legislation, the Taiwan Relations Act, by expanding the terms under which the US might supply weapons to Taiwan. Daniel Flatley, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Sep. 2022 López Obrador abandoned the highway route after hotel owners voiced objections, and cost and traffic interruptions became a concern. Mark Stevenson, USA TODAY, 15 Sep. 2022 The flare-up in violence has raised international concern, with Russia, United States, France and the European Union calling for restraint and stepping up diplomatic efforts to end the fighting. Reuters, NBC News, 14 Sep. 2022 But for some of those gathered outside the CTA headquarters, service remained a concern. Sarah Freishtat, Chicago Tribune, 14 Sep. 2022 Amid rising concern over Bolduc's polling lead late into the primary race, Republicans in Washington and Concord mobilized to blunt his momentum. Bytal Axelrod, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2022 Rather than having to make substantial changes, Apple can simply refine Safety Check and Lockdown Mode to address the latest concern. WIRED, 14 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb and Noun
Middle English, from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French concerner, from Medieval Latin concernere, from Late Latin, to sift together, mingle, from Latin com- + cernere to sift — more at certain
First Known Use
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Noun
1643, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing concern
Kids Definition
concern 1 of 2
verb
con·cern kən-ˈsərn
concerned; concerning
1
: to relate to : be about
The story concerns a young prince.
2
: to be of interest or importance to : affect
This problem concerns us all.
3
: to make worried
Her illness concerned my parents.
4
: engage sense 2, occupy
She concerns herself with other people's business.
concern
2 of 2noun
1
: a feeling of worry or care about a person or thing
concern for the poor
a cause for concern
2
: something that causes worry or is regarded as important
The students' safety is her main concern.
3
: something that relates to or involves a person : affair
This is not your concern.
4
: a business organization
a banking concern
concern 1 of 2
noun
1
as in interest
a commercial or industrial activity or organization several banking concerns in the area Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- interest
- company
- firm
- house
- enterprise
- business
- corporation
- association
- establishment
- agency
- trust
- outfit
- conglomerate
- dealer
- chain
- multinational
- outlet
- syndicate
- combine
- cartel
- microenterprise
2
as in worry
an uneasy state of mind usually over the possibility of an anticipated misfortune or trouble the recent crime wave has caused a great deal of concern in the neighborhood Synonyms & Similar Words
- worry
- fear
- anxiety
- unease
- concernment
- uneasiness
- apprehension
- uncertainty
- apprehensiveness
- disquiet
- nervousness
- fearfulness
- solicitude
- disquietude
- agitation
- anxiousness
- care
- discomfort
- doubt
- tension
- perturbation
- panic
- stress
- agita
- anguish
- desperation
- dismay
- dread
- sweat
- distress
- nervosity
- consternation
- disturbance
- upset
- desperateness
- angst
- misgiving
- qualm
- alarm
- strain
- tremor
- discomposure
- jitters
- jumpiness
- distraction
- suspense
- edginess
- vexation
- torment
- hand-wringing
- incertitude
- franticness
- compunction
- presentiment
- scruple
- foreboding
- alarum
- cold feet
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unconcern
- ease
- contentment
- content
- peace
- tranquility
- relief
- calmness
- calm
- quiet
- serenity
- comfort
- easiness
- quietude
- peacefulness
- tranquillity
- consolation
- solace
- placidity
- sereneness
- tranquilness
- placidness
concern
2 of 2verb
1
as in to present
to have (something) as a subject matter the book concerns the challenges faced by children growing up in single-parent households Synonyms & Similar Words
- present
- cover
- include
- mention
- specify
- notice
- note
- encompass
- pertain (to)
- instance
- offer
- contain
- name
- treat (of)
- cite
- have to do with
- deal (with)
- bear (on or upon)
- quote
- entail
- relate (to)
- appertain (to)
- touch (upon)
- allude (to)
- glance (upon)
- incorporate
- advert (to)
- refer (to)
- embrace
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- exclude
- disregard
- omit
- ignore
- forget
- slight
- neglect
- overlook
- reject
- pass over
- brush (aside or off)
- slur (over)
- overpass
- shrug off
2
as in to affect
to be the business or affair of the problems of air and water pollution that concern all of us Synonyms & Similar Words
- affect
- involve
- touch
- implicate
- pertain (to)
- apply (to)
- embroil
- relate (to)
- appertain (to)
- ensnare
- bear (on)
- refer (to)
- entangle
3
as in to worry
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy we were greatly concerned by reports that yet another previously unknown virus is now posing a threat Synonyms & Similar Words
- worry
- alarm
- bother
- disturb
- distract
- anger
- distress
- discomfort
- dismay
- upset
- disquiet
- plague
- agitate
- unsettle
- annoy
- haunt
- ail
- confuse
- exercise
- flurry
- fuss
- irritate
- discompose
- derail
- perturb
- weird out
- distemper
- embarrass
- rattle
- unhinge
- aggravate
- undo
- exasperate
- irk
- peeve
- hagride
- frazzle
- bug
- freak (out)
- discourage
- vex
- pique
- alarum
- harry
- harass
- fret
- grate
- chafe
- rile
- put off
- discomfit
- put out
- bedevil
- pester
- fluster
- gall
- nettle
- disconcert
- get
- shake up
- confound
- faze
- mortify
- daunt
- nonplus
- unnerve
- abash
- discountenance
- dishearten
- chivy
- demoralize
- jar
- chivvy
- dispirit
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- calm
- alleviate
- soothe
- quiet
- settle
- allay
- assuage
- compose
- tranquilize
- tranquillize
- placate
- appease
- mollify
- pacify
- conciliate
- propitiate
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of concern are anxiety, care, solicitude, and worry. While all these words mean "a troubled or engrossed state of mind or the thing that causes this," concern implies a troubled state of mind because of personal interest, relation, or affection.
crimes caused concern in the neighborhood
In some situations, the words anxiety and concern are roughly equivalent. However, anxiety stresses anguished uncertainty or fear of misfortune or failure.
plagued by anxiety and self-doubt
The words care and concern are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, care implies oppression of the mind weighed down by responsibility or disquieted by apprehension.
a face worn by years of care
The synonyms solicitude and concern are sometimes interchangeable, but solicitude implies great concern and connotes either thoughtful or hovering attentiveness toward another.
acted with typical maternal solicitude
While the synonyms worry and concern are close in meaning, worry suggests fretting over matters that may or may not be real cause for anxiety.
financial worries