Definition of concerningnext
as in regarding
having to do with we had a meeting with the principal today concerning the new policy on student-run organizations

Synonyms & Similar Words

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concerning

2 of 2

verb

present participle of concern
1
2
as in affecting
to be the business or affair of the problems of air and water pollution that concern all of us

Synonyms & Similar Words

3

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 concerning
Verb
One of the fears concerning AI in fiction filmmaking is that the medium of cinema could lose the value of the empathic connection people have with other humans. Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026 More concerning memory problems may involve difficulty retaining new information in the first place, like repeatedly asking a question without remembering the answer. Danielle Zickl, HEALTH, 31 Aug. 2026 The situation is particularly concerning at displacement sites, where residents already live in extremely precarious conditions. Constant Same Bagalwa, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 Much improved, but empty storefronts ‘still concerning’ Those who shop, live or work around the Plaza are noticing the changes. Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026 Maybe there was a scheduling conflict concerning the jury head or a number of jury members. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 30 Aug. 2026 Wise's denial stemmed from its operating company's unresolved multistate consent order concerning anti-money laundering failures and a lack of historical fiduciary experience. Aj Dhaliwal, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 The clandestine manner in which LG monitors were installing ad-pushing software onto third-party devices, however, remains seriously concerning. Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026 The injuries were concerning enough less than a month ago, though, that the front office went out and added left-hander Tarik Skubal to the mix. Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 24 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for concerning
Preposition
  • Metro Police detectives are continuing to investigate the shooting, and are in contact with the District Attorney’s Office regarding charging decisions.
    Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Was any decision made regarding reducing Partey’s media obligations?
    James McNicholas, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Pack a tube of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) in your first aid kit instead of antibiotic ointment and remember to flush all scrapes and cuts with copious amounts of clean water before covering them with the jelly.
    Dr. Jill Grimes, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Ground surveys can provide more detailed information at a particular site, but covering an entire subway corridor that way would be difficult.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • But the forces prodding Shin to boost rates are increasingly affecting Fed policy decisions.
    William Pesek, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Kelchen said Syracuse is being hit by many of the forces affecting the broader industry.
    Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Some interns hesitate to contact their former colleagues for fear of bothering them, but most people are eager to help out young talent.
    Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Contreras rarely takes days off but asked for a day off Sunday with his leg bothering him.
    Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Preposition
  • Still, there’s something about going back to basics at the dawn of a new season that feels especially right.
    Laura Jackson, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Crump also made a Facebook post about the Blytheville incident on Saturday, which had been shared more than 4,000 times as of Sunday afternoon.
    Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • In addition, key agricultural futures including rice, cotton, and corn have also rallied significantly since the beginning of the year, with most currently trading around their highest levels in three years.
    , CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Shop more outlet deals below, including an elegant candleholder, a luxe ottoman, and slim patio sofa.
    Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Her body was found Monday morning in the waters near Hagley Landing, a boat ramp leading to the Waccamaw River in the small town of Pawleys Island, South Carolina, following an extensive search involving hundreds of people and multiple agencies.
    Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Court records show DeFoor has a history of criminal cases involving findings of mental incompetency.
    Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Since each qubit is individually connected to the coupler, each qubit can be individually reset without disturbing its neighboring qubits.
    Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Kyiv authorities told parents to prepare for the possibility of attacks disturbing school and urged them to teach their children what to do during an alert.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Concerning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/concerning. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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