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

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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
  • The usual symptoms include high fever, headache, stiffness and an overall feeling that resembles the flu.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Just 26% approve of his handling of the economy overall, marking a new low.
    — MICHELLE L. PRICE, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of overall
Adjective
  • Russian media highlighted an even broader collection of technologies, including mass drone deployments, counter-drone systems, electronic warfare, precision weapons and mobile assault units.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Individually, the songs on Beat were largely recognizable in the broader indie rock world—post-rock and shoegaze live alongside torchy trip-hop and pure ambient.
    — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 4 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
  • 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
  • Risk cannot be eliminated, and resources are never unlimited.
    — Sami Nomair, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of unlimited
Noun
  • Several Japanese nationals, including executives at top Japanese firms, were reportedly detained in August over alleged violations of dual-use goods export restrictions.
    — Anniek Bao,Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 5 Oct. 2026
  • This year, for example, Regan dropped an initiative that would have restricted hospital executives’ pay, in exchange for the California Hospital Association not imposing new administrative hurdles on unions pursuing political campaigns.
    — Nicholas Lemann, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of executive
Adjective
  • The party has an average 8-point lead in generic congressional ballot polling, according to RealClearPolitics.
    — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Even though the vast majority of prescriptions are written for generic drugs, drug spending is surging faster than any other category — and drugs have been eating more of the employer’s premium for multiple years now.
    — Bob Herman, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of generic
Adjective
  • But Milei is trying to recast Argentina as a destination for foreign wealth, slashing public spending, dismantling regulations and courting investment in the country's vast oil and mineral resources.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Decisions about industrial policy, infrastructure, public spending, and competition increasingly have to account not only for emissions but climate risk.
    — Justin Worland, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of public
Adjective
  • This mandated that at least 10% of locally generated, unrestricted revenue be allocated to incarceration alternatives, advancing what was called the county’s Care First, Jails Last vision.
    — Jon Regardie, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • There are unrestricted parking zones with no time limits north of 16th and south of 14th.
    — Brian Sherrod, CBS News, 28 Sep. 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 9 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about general

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