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.

Nourafchan also tipped his brother, Lorenzo, to the iRobot news, which opened the door to a separate network of traders who were less careful with the tips.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

You could, if you’re not careful, slip into the 24% or 32% bracket, which might even be higher than where you were during your working years.

From MarketWatch • May 11, 2026

However, it also warned that if it were introduced without careful management, it "could result in an aircraft flying outside of its safe operating limits".

From BBC • May 8, 2026

Before transforming Ryanair, O’Leary made a careful study of Southwest and its no-frills, high-efficiency model, featuring a single aircraft type, point-to-point flying instead of hub-and-spoke, and quick plane turnarounds between flights.

From Barron's • May 8, 2026

“Be careful what you wish for, Shrub. Things don’t always work out the way we think they will.”

From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila

Vocabulary lists containing careful

"Earthquake"

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Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"

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Unit 9

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