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.

Reavie was careful to say that without ongoing monitoring, he could only guess why the algae arrived, and what might happen to it next.

From Slate • Jun. 27, 2026

The team have been careful to say that the engine upgrade introduced in Austria is not enough to close the gap to the Mercedes on power.

From BBC • Jun. 26, 2026

Moviegoers should be careful not to read too much autobiography into an actor’s creative choices, but Jolie makes such speculation tantalizing, adding additional layers of drama to her films.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 26, 2026

Binance said it had decided to withdraw its Greek application " after careful consideration of the status and the timeline of the process in Greece, with our users’ interests at the center."

From Barron's • Jun. 25, 2026

“I have been careful my whole life, and it has never kept me safe.”

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny

Vocabulary lists containing careful

"Earthquake"

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Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"

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Unit 9

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