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.

In a statement, the corporation said the decision to cancel the Christmas episode was made "after careful consideration" and "had not been taken lightly".

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026

Be careful on those slopes and many happy returns for your wedding.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026

“It’s amicable, they gave lots of time and careful consideration and decided to go their separate ways,” a source told People.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

Even with careful planning, there are always risks with company shares.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

Picking up the basket, Grandma handed it to me and said, “I baked some fresh bread today and want to send a few loaves to her. Be careful now, and don’t mash them.”

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

Vocabulary lists containing careful

"Earthquake"

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Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"

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Unit 9

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