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.

“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

Swan, herself no stranger to the wellness-podcast circuit, was careful to insert the caveat that the film is “not a quote-unquote ‘scientific study.’

From Slate • Apr. 16, 2026

According to Schwimmer, creating a scientifically accurate, full-scale replica requires careful attention to detail.

From Science Daily • Apr. 15, 2026

You wanted to be real careful where you stepped.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck

Vocabulary lists containing careful

"Earthquake"

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Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"

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Unit 9

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