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.

Just be careful not to concentrate too much of your wealth in one place.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 20, 2026

While the network was careful to note that he had not been named a suspect, its minute-by-minute coverage suggested that this could be a major breakthrough.

From Slate • Apr. 19, 2026

“I took all of his commentary to be very, very careful not to disparage any person on the court or elsewhere,” she said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

Dame Emily also pointed to the careful language in a letter she received from Cooper on the vetting process, which noted the vetting process had "concluded" with clearance being granted.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

His manners were really quite excellent, thanks to his governess’s careful training.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

Vocabulary lists containing careful

"Earthquake"

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Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"

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Unit 9

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