comprehensive

adjective

com·​pre·​hen·​sive ˌkäm-pri-ˈhen(t)-siv 

-prē-

1

: covering completely or broadly : inclusive

comprehensive examinations

comprehensive insurance

2

: having or exhibiting wide mental grasp

comprehensive knowledge

comprehensively adverb

comprehensiveness noun

Synonyms

• all-embracing
• all-in [chiefly British]
• all-inclusive
• broad-gauge
• broad-gauged
• compendious
• complete
• cover-all
• cyclopedic
• embracive
• encyclopedic
• exhaustive
• full
• global
• in-depth
• inclusive
• omnibus
• panoramic
• thorough
• universal

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

The test was very comprehensive, and the results were almost identical to tests taken at Stanford and Palo Alto Medical Foundation. —Larry Magid, The Mercury News, 13 June 2024

The critical assessment — written by 19 San Franciscans selected by the Superior Court — found that the city and county lacked a comprehensive funding plan for climate adaptation and that existing sewer systems cannot handle worsening floods. —Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2024

This comprehensive compilation, derived from an extensive analysis of ticket sales, has provided a unique perspective on the choices of various traveler groups, including solo adventurers, couples, families, and friends. —Brianna Kamienski, The Arizona Republic, 12 June 2024

Turkey: an Economic Appraisal This survey of the Turkish economy, not intended to be comprehensive, is primarily concerned with those weak points where internal reform and American aid might do the… Chalom! . . . —Robert Gale Woolbert, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

see comprehension

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing comprehensive

• comprehensive school

Kids Definition

comprehensive

adjective

com·​pre·​hen·​sive ˌkäm-pri-ˈhen(t)-siv 

: 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 

: covering completely or broadly

a comprehensive insurance policy