general 1 of 2

adjective

ˈjen-rəl How to pronounce general (audio)
Definition of generalnext
1
as in overall
belonging or relating to the whole a general increase in postage rates there's been a general improvement in the economy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in broad
relating to the main elements and not to specific details gave the general impression of being kindhearted a general course of study in American history

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in prevailing
held by or applicable to a majority of the people it was the general opinion that the politician was a liar the general mood of the nation was one of hope and optimism

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in unlimited
not limited or specialized in application or purpose a new kitchen tool of general usefulness a general education

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

general

2 of 2

noun

as in executive

Related Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of general
Adjective
All of this is part of Flanagan’s general preference for giving characters the benefit of the doubt and for grounding the eerie and the uncanny in our lived experiences. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026 Newsom said the bill's definition of a wearable recording device was too general. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
Last year, Ken McCallum, MI5’s director-general, said Chinese spies poseda daily national security threat, and were creating fake job adverts to try to lure British professionals into handing over information. — CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026 Erlenkotter set the tone immediately with 1-Across [Famous one-eyed general], which references Archibald WAVELL of the British Army, who served in the military for over four decades. — Sam Ezersky, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for general
Recent Examples of Synonyms for general
  1. overall
  2. broad
  3. prevailing
  4. unlimited
  5. executive
  6. generic
  7. public
  8. unrestricted
Adjective
  • At the same time, overall guitar sales have been in slight but years-long decline so growth has to come at rivals’ expense.
    — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The heel of the shoe and its tongue tag also feature co-branding with Nigo and j-hope’s names on them and, instead of standard cotton laces, the sneakers have braided, multicolor ropes that pick up on the overall color scheme.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of overall
Adjective
  • The broader testing program is intended to evaluate the vehicles and their operating approach under increasingly representative conditions.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The top trade envoys for China and the European Union agreed Friday on a broad initial deal following two days of talks aimed at calming escalating tensions over trade imbalances, the EU trade commissioner said.
    — Sam McNeil, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of broad
Adjective
  • The group noted the projection was revised upward from an earlier estimate owing to an additional year in the budget window and higher prevailing interest rates.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Likewise, prevailing concepts of Hamlet at the time cast the prince as a wan and melancholic, leading critics to bristle at Bernhardt’s energy.
    — Betsy Golden Kellem, JSTOR Daily, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of prevailing
Adjective
  • Data is unlimited, so streaming and large downloads won’t hit a cap.
    — StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Guests needn’t pay a fee to enter the Victoria Falls park area and have a special entrance for unlimited access.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of unlimited
Noun
  • The series is executive produced by Kentaro Shibuya of Fuji Television, Janice Lee of MakerVille and Song Seon Eui of Simstory, alongside Kato and Kenichiro Hobara.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Many executives, such as the CEOs of Starbucks and Chipotle for example, tout early-morning work routines as a key to their success.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of executive
Adjective
  • And of course, when patents eventually expire, generic manufacturers can copy those discoveries and introduce them at much lower cost.
    — Dr. Bowman Heiden, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
  • For years, the city has primarily played the role of somewhere else — a cheaper Seattle, New York or generic American city.
    — Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of generic
Adjective
  • Macedo wrote a letter to Steve Kawa, the chair of the authority’s board, ahead of the meeting saying that Choudri had misused taxpayer money and abused public trust.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2026
  • In Taiwan, telecom and media companies have formed joint funds with a public agency.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of public
Adjective
  • Cunningham is headed toward unrestricted free agency after two seasons with Indiana.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Opening the show, model Dyanira Hurbuscher walked in a sheer look — a bra hinting at the boning seen in Edwardian-era corsetry, but completely softened and unrestricted (Gabrielle famously rejected the stiff fashion rules of her time).
    — Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of unrestricted

Phrases Containing general

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generable
general
general assemblies
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Cite this Entry

“General.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/general. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about general

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