Showing results for "concerning"

• present participle of concern.

concerning

American  

[kuhn-sur-ning] / kənˈsɜr nɪŋ /

preposition

1. relating to; regarding; about.

   We attended a discussion concerning foreign aid.

---

adjective

1. causing concern, worry, or anxiety.

   The increase in unlicensed practitioners is concerning.

   The more concerning elements of the sport were swept under the rug.

concerning British  

/ kənˈsɜːnɪŋ /

preposition

1. about; regarding; on the subject of

---

adjective

1. worrying or troublesome

Etymology

Origin of concerning

First recorded in 1375–1425; concern ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

Compare meaning

How does concerning compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• disconcerting vs. concerning

Example Sentences

Foreign Minister Winston Peters, who described China's ballistic missile test as "deeply concerning", said Pacific leaders have long sought a Pacific-led response to regional security issues.

From Barron's • Jul. 9, 2026

An apparent marketing push towards younger users is concerning health experts.

From BBC • Jul. 8, 2026

While the magnitude of the selloff may seem concerning, some analysts think it’s a natural progression following a big run-up.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 8, 2026

“We weren’t seeing many soils with concerning elevated levels of metal, so gardeners should not be too alarmed when these things happen.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 8, 2026

The old man had a stooped back, a sagging belly, and a concerning amount of white hair peeking out of his ears.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray