concerning

American  

[kuhn-sur-ning] / kənˈsɜr nɪŋ /

preposition

1. relating to; regarding; about.

   We attended a discussion concerning foreign aid.

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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

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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

“Of course, it’s concerning to watch the news, and you can’t help but feel terribly sorry for people who are exposed to all these terrible things,” Hagen said.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

The UK and the EU are currently negotiating various deals, including one concerning food safety and standards for animal and plant health.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

“Current data raises questions concerning these predicate assumptions,” wrote Nori Gerardo Lietz of Harvard Business School in 2024.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

But one possibility would be matters concerning the television rights the league negotiates with media companies.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

But he should be a very frequent questioner, and then, concerning the matters inquired about, a patient listener to the truth.

From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli