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.

If the pace is slower, jockeys on the other horses, such as Jose Ortiz on Golden Tempo, will have to be careful not to drop too far back.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2026

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

"He obviously wants to be careful that people can't necessarily track him down. It shows someone who's paranoid about his personal safety – from germs or assassination attempts," says Fiona Hill.

From BBC • May 30, 2026

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

From Science Daily • May 29, 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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