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.

Either way, investors need to be careful with these types of funds.

From Barron's • Jun. 12, 2026

She makes some insufficiently careful decisions, but those around her tend to overreact.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2026

"They gave lots of time and careful consideration and decided to go their separate ways," the source told the publication.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

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

From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026

She walked out into the water slowly, one careful step at a time, and stretched her nose to touch the finger the boy was holding out, as if they were old friends.

From "Woodsong" by Gary Paulsen

Vocabulary lists containing careful

"Earthquake"

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Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"

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Unit 9

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