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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
The analysis concluded the project is consistent with the city’s general plan and does not create new significant environmental impacts that were not already addressed in the previous general plan environmental impact report. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026 At least a quarter of ex-NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) — a much higher rate than is seen in the general population, a study released Tuesday showed. — Brian Dakss, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Noun
Specifically, David Ellison, the CEO of Paramount Skydance, is threatening to move the company out of California starting in October unless the state's attorney general agrees to resolve the merger via a settlement. — Noe Padilla, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026 Zelenskyy fired Fedorov in mid-July, citing an unsolvable feud between him and Zelenskyy's top general, Oleksandr Syrskyi. — Duarte Dias, CBS News, 23 Aug. 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 Cowboys addressed that Saturday by trading a third-round pick and a sixth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for offensive tackle Broderick Jones, who was the 14th overall pick in 2023, and a fourth-round pick.
    — Jon Machota, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • But the almost yearlong closure seems to be having an effect — overall attendance at the downtown library is down 31%.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of overall
Adjective
  • Blakespear said the definition was broad enough to encompass a wide range of heavy industrial uses, including chemical, plastics and pesticide manufacturing and strip mining.
    — Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The e-commerce giant is preparing to launch its Prime Air service in Tracy as part of a broader expansion effort that will bring delivery drones to 500 cities and towns by the end of the year.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 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
  • Can Kushner’s billions of dollars and unlimited access deliver the kind of magnetic appeal that began with the Showtime Lakers in 1979?
    — Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • In Desert Sands, May-Vollmar said unlimited Wi-Fi in the classroom replicates the real world for students.
    — Linda Jacobson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of unlimited
Noun
  • The states presented evidence that senior executives at Meta, intent on maximizing their company’s growth, had repeatedly set aside concerns about what its products were doing to its youngest users.
    — Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Senior executives at Nordstrom have made their human customer interactions part of their brand identity as well.
    — John Hall, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of executive
Adjective
  • In 2022, Cuban founded Cost Plus Drugs, a website created to sell generic medication at a lower price than most large pharmacies.
    — Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The key lesson for personal branding is to embrace distinctiveness, substance, and a unique voice, rather than conforming to generic professionalism.
    — William Arruda, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of generic
Adjective
  • Shein's Hong Kong debut comes after earlier attempts to go public in New York and London did not materialize.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
  • This was far from Towns’ first public splash in the sports card space.
    — Larry Holder, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of public
Adjective
  • But Scalable is not handing over unrestricted control of customer accounts to AI.
    — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
  • College sports’ current arms race of money, along with unrestricted transfers, is threatening to shut out rising challengers like UConn football, with rich teams now dangling lucrative offers and raiding talent like never before.
    — U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Hartford Courant, 24 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on general

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about general

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