consideration

The act of thinking carefully about something before making a decision.

• Your idea needs careful consideration.
• After some consideration, we chose the smaller house.
• Is my application still under consideration?

How to use it: consideration of something (Careful consideration of the costs helped us decide.)

Similar words: thought, reflection, deliberation

Common phrases: careful consideration, under consideration, consideration of something

Care for other people’s feelings and needs.

• Please show some consideration.
• He lowered his voice out of consideration for the sleeping baby.
• Her consideration for others makes her a good colleague.

How to use it: consideration for someone (Please show consideration for your neighbours.)

Similar words: thoughtfulness, care, kindness

Opposites: thoughtlessness

Common phrases: show consideration, consideration for others, out of consideration

Money or something else given in return for work, help, or an agreement.

• He helped us for a small consideration.
• The contract states the consideration paid for the property.
• They offered financial consideration in return for his cooperation.

How to use it: in consideration of something (She received shares in consideration of her services.)

Similar words: payment, compensation, recompense

Common phrases: for a consideration, valuable consideration, financial consideration

The importance something has, or the attention it deserves.

• His rank was of little consideration.
• Money was of no consideration to her.
• They regarded his objections as worthy of consideration.

Similar words: importance, significance, regard

Opposites: unimportance

Common phrases: of little consideration, worthy of consideration, of no consideration