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.

Aeralis chairman Robin Southwell said the decision to go into administration had been taken after "careful consideration of the company's position and the funding challenges it has faced over recent months".

From BBC • May 15, 2026

They’re back to being too cautious, too careful.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

While she is pushing for a new approach, she is careful not to throw the previous Secretaries-General under the blue bus.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

Nourafchan also tipped his brother, Lorenzo, to the iRobot news, which opened the door to a separate network of traders who were less careful with the tips.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

But I was having a hard time remembering that there was anything to be careful about.

From "Ida B" by Katherine Hannigan

Vocabulary lists containing careful

"Earthquake"

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Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"

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Unit 9

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