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Synonym Chooser

How is the word careful different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of careful are meticulous, punctilious, and scrupulous. While all these words mean "showing close attention to detail," careful implies attentiveness and cautiousness in avoiding mistakes.

a careful worker

When can meticulous be used instead of careful?

Although the words meticulous and careful have much in common, meticulous may imply either commendable extreme carefulness or a hampering finicky caution over small points.

meticulous scholarship

When could punctilious be used to replace careful?

The words punctilious and careful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, punctilious implies minute, even excessive attention to fine points.

punctilious observance of ritual

In what contexts can scrupulous take the place of careful?

While in some cases nearly identical to careful, scrupulous applies to what is proper or fitting or ethical.

scrupulous honesty

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of careful Continue reading … -- IN OTHER NEWS FOOL ME ONCE – Kevin Bacon is ‘more careful’ after losing money in infamous Ponzi scheme. FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2025 Israel is skeptical of talks but is careful not to contradict Trump publicly while preparing its military for a possible attack. Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2025 Those came with careful legal limitations and a process for companies to seek exclusions — and their total scale wasn't enough to have much effect on the overall U.S. economy This time is different. Neil Irwin, Axios, 5 Apr. 2025 Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for careful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for careful
Adjective
  • Dawn Staley, who’s undefeated in NCAA finals, is cautious in taking that fact into consideration.
    Roberta F. Rodrigues, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Be cautious about fertilizing, as nitrogen can interfere with blooming.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • For high-value assets such as real estate or investment accounts, meticulous record-keeping is critical.
    Virginia La Torre Jeker, J.D., Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Why, despite Mary’s 14 calls to the Broward Sheriff’s Office in the last year of her life and her meticulous reports, didn’t BSO deputies arrest Nathan?
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Subject to partisan litmus tests, military leaders might be wary of offering advice that contradicts the administration’s priorities.
    Risa Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 8 Apr. 2025
  • That might mean that a recession caused by the Trump administration's tariff policy would actually drive adoption of artificial intelligence by companies that have so far been wary of the tech.
    Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • That dissonance is a function of how eating less meat has been wrapped in a conscientious and moral sheen.
    Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 24 Mar. 2025
  • Emily is a conscientious worker who is constantly evaluating her performance and setting ever higher goals.
    Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The Suncoast region is seeing particularly high alert levels.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
  • In these cases, being alert to others’ moods became a survival strategy.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Brandi has already played a loving role in Elton’s valedictory run.
    Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Etta was able to fall in love and be in a super loving relationship.
    Juan Velasquez, Them., 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Beyond analyzing troves of data to sift through requirements even the most diligent person might miss, AI can proactively respond to requests with lightning speed—a superhuman ability that might have saved Josef K from the state.
    Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Being diligent in evaluating these costs can lead to significant savings over time.
    Jessica Ledingham, J.D., Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Careful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/careful. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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