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.

Careful and varied testing is essential to determine whether a model truly has the skills it appears to demonstrate.

From Science Daily • Apr. 30, 2026

Careful not to release spoilers, they pondered the question of what kind of movie genre the upcoming project would fit into.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 5, 2025

Careful not to jinx his momentum, he is only willing to admit this is "definitely the best first half of a season I've had in a long time", speaking to BBC Sport.

From BBC • Aug. 1, 2025

Careful and calculating actors wouldn’t brazenly break the law and dare authorities to respond.

From Slate • Feb. 3, 2025

"Careful, young lady. I have been teaching this subject for twenty years."

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda

Vocabulary lists containing careful

"Earthquake"

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Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"

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Unit 9

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