Definitions

careful

[kair-fuhl] / ˈkɛər fəl /

ADJECTIVE

cautious; painstaking

Synonyms

STRONGEST

accurate attentive choosy circumspect concerned conscientious deliberate discreet judicious leery meticulous mindful precise prudent rigorous scrupulous sober thorough thoughtful vigilant wary

STRONG

detail-oriented

WEAK

alert apprehensive assiduous chary conservative cool exacting fastidious finicky fussy going to great lengths guarded heedful observant particular playing safe prim protective provident punctilious regardful religious selfdisciplined shy solicitous solid

Antonyms

STRONGEST

careless false foolish heedless idiotic inaccurate inattentive incautious inconsiderate indiscreet inexact irrational lax loose negligent questionable rash reckless thoughtless uncareful uncaring unscrupulous unwise

WEAK

unconcerned

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I want to be careful about what I’m not saying: I am not saying private credit is the next subprime market, which imploded in 2008.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

"It underscores the importance of careful observation and thorough investigation of your data."

From Science Daily • Apr. 22, 2026

“I came back and said to the U.S. attorneys, ‘Let’s be careful here,’” the former official said.

From Salon • Apr. 22, 2026

Humans "still have a lot of control", he said, stressing that "we should be careful to construct in a way where we still continue to exist, and we can live in harmony with it."

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

“You’re suffering from malnutrition. You must be careful what you eat.”

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Vocabulary lists containing careful

"Earthquake"

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Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"

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Unit 9

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