comprehensive

adjective

com·​pre·​hen·​sive ˌkäm-pri-ˈhen(t)-siv How to pronounce comprehensive (audio)
-prē-
Synonyms of comprehensive
1
: covering completely or broadly : inclusive
comprehensive examinations
comprehensive insurance
This is where that comprehensive review of your finances can come in handy.—Kevin L. Matthews II
The 2015 study was one of the first comprehensive research efforts to tally up how much plastic ends up in the ocean.—Delger Erdenesanaa
2
: having or exhibiting wide mental grasp
comprehensive knowledge of a subject
comprehensively adverb
comprehensiveness noun

Synonyms of comprehensive

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Examples of comprehensive in a Sentence

Natalie's every move was photographed, a documentation of a happy childhood as comprehensive as it was false. —John Gregory Dunne, New York Review of Books, 15 Jan. 2004
Inevitably, though, in so comprehensive an account, some important events and themes are cursorily checked off … —Isabel Fonseca, Times Literary Supplement, 29 Jan. 1993
Walcott proceeded to misinterpret these fossils in a comprehensive and thoroughly consistent manner … —Stephen Jay Gould, Wonderful Life, 1989
a comprehensive overview of European history since the French Revolution a comprehensive listing of all the paintings generally attributed to the Dutch artist Rembrandt
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The appointment concludes a comprehensive national search chaired by USEF President Tom O’Mara and conducted in partnership with Korn Ferry. — Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 9 Oct. 2026 By comparison, human advisors can build a comprehensive financial plan — including investing, taxes, insurance, retirement planning, estate planning and more — based on your specific goals. — Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea,kelli Grant, Cfp®, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026 And those rules sit atop the same comprehensive system of federal enforcement that protects trillions of dollars of transactions in US markets. — Ryan Morik Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026 Ahead of November’s general election, The Times newsroom has published a comprehensive voter guide on the key races and measures lining the state ballot. — Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for comprehensive

Word History

Etymology

see comprehension

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of comprehensive was in 1614

Phrases Containing comprehensive

Rhymes for comprehensive

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Browse Nearby Words

comprehension
comprehensive
comprehensiveness
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Cite this Entry

“Comprehensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comprehensive. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

comprehensive

adjective
com·​pre·​hen·​sive ˌkäm-pri-ˈhen(t)-siv How to pronounce comprehensive (audio)
: including much or all : full
a comprehensive course of study
a comprehensive list
comprehensiveness noun

Legal Definition

comprehensive

adjective
com·​pre·​hen·​sive ˌkäm-pri-ˈhen-siv How to pronounce comprehensive (audio)
: covering completely or broadly
a comprehensive insurance policy
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