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.

He invoked the political philosopher Edmund Burke, who warned that institutions take careful effort to build but can be torn down quickly.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

His talent for quiet, careful observation of plants no taller than our ankles is on show.

From BBC • May 30, 2026

Proteostasis relies on a careful balance between creating proteins and removing damaged ones.

From Science Daily • May 29, 2026

The potential refunds, additionally, present opportunities for scammers if people aren’t careful.

From MarketWatch • May 27, 2026

Inside me, in my heart, in my throat, threatening to come out of my mouth if I wasn’t careful.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

Vocabulary lists containing careful

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Unit 9

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