- careful
- I(Roget's IV) modif.Syn. meticulous, thorough, painstaking, scrupulous, cautious, wary, circumspect, discreet, solicitous, concerned, deliberate, provident, conservative, prudent, particular, rigorous, fussy, finicky, prim, exacting, sober, vigilant, watchful, suspicious, alert, wide-awake, assiduous, overexact, fastidious, hard to please, discriminating, sure-footed, precise, exact, heedful, on one's guard, on guard, on the alert, conscientious, taking measures, politic, attentive, calcuLating, sparing, regardful, considerate, mindful, canny, guarded, noncommittal, self-possessed, self-disciplined, solid, cool, calm, farsighted, frugal, thrifty, punctilious, religious, stealthy, observant, chary, apprehensive, judicious, leery*, choosy*, picky*, feeling one's way*, feeling one's ground*, seeing how the land lies*, putting the right foot forward*, keeping a nose to the wind*, picking one's steps*, making haste slowly*, going to Great lengths*, leaving no margin for error; see also accurate 2 , economical 1 , thoughtful 2 .Ant. heedless, careless*, haphazard.Syn.- careful implies close attention to or Great concern for whatever is one's work or responsibility, and usually connotes thoroughness, a guarding against error or injury, etc.; meticulous implies extreme, sometimes finicky, carefulness about details; scrupulous implies a conscientious adherence to what is considered right, true, accurate, or proper in every detail; circumspect implies a careful consideration of all circumstances to avoid error or unfavorable consequences; cautious implies a careful guarding against possible dangers or risks; prudent implies the exercise of both caution and circumspection, suggesting careful management in economic and practical matters; discreet implies the exercise of discernment and judgment in the guidance of one's speech and action and suggests careful restraint; wary implies a cautiousness that is prompted by suspicionII(Roget's 3 Superthesaurus) a.1. cautious wary, circumspect, heedful, vigilant, leery, guarded, prudent, alert, attentive.2. meticulous painstaking, thorough, fussy, scrupulous, demanding, conscientious, rigorous, fastidious, punctilious, attentive.ANT.: 1. careless, reckless, negligent. 2. careless, slipshod, sloppyIII(Roget's Thesaurus II) adjective 1. Cautiously attentive: heedful, mindful, observant, watchful. See CAREFUL. 2. Trying attentively to avoid danger, risk, or error: cautious, chary, circumspect, forehanded, gingerly, prudent, wary. See CAREFUL. 3. Showing or marked by attentiveness to all aspects or details: fastidious, meticulous, painstaking, punctilious, scrupulous. See CAREFUL.
English dictionary for students. 2013.