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.

Joe James acted in the Silk White movie “Be Careful What You Ask For” in 2020 and noticed the director was doing everything himself.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 16, 2026

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 thought must be given to how the proposals translate into practical support - including recruitment and retention strong enough to meet growing needs," he says.

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026

Careful as we may be to steer around most of these pits, it’s nigh impossible to avoid all of them.

From Salon • Jan. 21, 2026

Careful not to fall, I untie the cord and place it in a pocket of Papi’s sweater.

From "Beast Rider" by Tony Johnston & María Elena Fontanot de Rhoads

Vocabulary lists containing careful

"Earthquake"

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Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"

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Unit 9

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