comprehensive
adjective
com·pre·hen·sive
ˌkäm-pri-ˈhen(t)-siv 
-prē-
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
Kevin L. Matthews IIThe 2015 study was one of the first comprehensive research efforts to tally up how much plastic ends up in the ocean.—Delger Erdenesanaa
Delger Erdenesanaa2
: having or exhibiting wide mental grasp
comprehensive knowledge of a subject
comprehensively
adverb
comprehensiveness
noun
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
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
Legislation introduced by state Assemblymember Lisa Calderon, (D-Whittier) on Monday would require the FAIR Plan to offer more comprehensive policies, hire more staff and address complaints by policyholders in a faster manner.
—Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
There’s truly never been a better time to take care of your skin in such a comprehensive way.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 3 Feb. 2026
Today, there are prenatal and postnatal genetic tests that identify Alström syndrome, but there’s no comprehensive treatment or cure, only ways to address individual symptoms to improve the quality of life.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2026
Ball says that because this is an immigration detention facility, it is required to go through a more comprehensive review process.
—Tara Lynch, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for comprehensive
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Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
There’s truly never been a better time to take care of your skin in such a comprehensive way.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 3 Feb. 2026
Today, there are prenatal and postnatal genetic tests that identify Alström syndrome, but there’s no comprehensive treatment or cure, only ways to address individual symptoms to improve the quality of life.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2026
Ball says that because this is an immigration detention facility, it is required to go through a more comprehensive review process.
—Tara Lynch, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for comprehensive
Cite this Entry
“Comprehensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comprehensive. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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