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

New York also had a second message for us concerning a Japanese artist.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Even more concerning than the Lakers’ 139-96 blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday was watching superstar guard Luka Doncic hobble off the court with a left hamstring injury in the third quarter.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

The small miss wasn’t the most concerning thing.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

"The data reflects a concerning trend," said researcher Chris Holstege, MD, the director of UVA Health's Blue Ridge Poison Center.

From Science Daily • Mar. 30, 2026

“This man has a celebrity in a certain way,” Washington remarked concerning Bache, “for his calumnies are to be exceeded only by his impudence, and both stand unrivaled.”

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis