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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in executive
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of general
Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Jan. 2026
The Minneapolis show coincided with a general strike being called by activists across the country that caused many workers and students to walk out in protest of the ICE abductions continuing to happen nationally.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 30 Jan. 2026
Nik Popli, Time, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent history helps explain why the secretary general of the palace pushed back on Cangé’s unusual request.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for general
Adjective
Today, restaurants across the country are participating in a widespread general strike in an effort to protest ICE activity.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Jan. 2026
The Minneapolis show coincided with a general strike being called by activists across the country that caused many workers and students to walk out in protest of the ICE abductions continuing to happen nationally.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
The announcement, delivered first in a post on his Truth Social platform and later amplified in brief remarks to reporters, followed a meeting with Mark Rutte, the NATO secretary general, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
—Nik Popli, Time, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent history helps explain why the secretary general of the palace pushed back on Cangé’s unusual request.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for general
Recent Examples of Synonyms for general
Adjective
-
But Manning finished his career with an 117-117 overall record with the Giants, eventually replaced by Daniel Jones, whom the team drafted to be the next great franchise quarterback.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
This slows not only decision-making but overall team productivity.—
Dilan Gomih,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The project also reflects Beijing’s broader effort to anchor long-term energy security with low-carbon baseload power.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Jan. 2026
-
That last-minute development is reviving debate about the extent of state support for Vanke, one of the last major developers to have avoided an outright default after a broader property market slump sparked record debt failures in recent years.—
Bloomberg News,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Harvesting seed nearby is a way to get plants that are genetically adapted to the prevailing environmental conditions and are more likely to thrive.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Jan. 2026
-
In the northern United States, enjoying the starry winter sky requires protection against the prevailing low temperatures.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The letter cited Boise City Code, which prohibits selling or advertising unlimited alcoholic drinks for a single price.—
Rose Evans,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Applicants can submit up to five pieces per entry, with unlimited submissions allowed, at a $20 fee per entry.—
Mona Darwish,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Leaders & Idea-Makers Educators, executives, creators, founders, analysts, and public thinkers who shape conversations and influence decisions.—
Daphne Koller,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
-
This disconnect isn’t rare among high-earning founders and executives.—
Melissa Houston,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Today’s generic LLMs, such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and others, are not at all akin to the robust capabilities of human therapists.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The report goes further, explaining that most failures stem not from the models themselves, but from poor integration into real workflows, overreliance on generic tools, and a tendency for companies to treat AI as a standalone experiment rather than embedding it into core operations.—
Michael Wystrach,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Russia has been pounding Ukraine's critical infrastructure, hoping to wear down public resistance to the war while leaving many around the country having to endure the dead of winter without heat.—
AAMER MADHANI AND SUSIE BLANN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Hinton’s work shows how institutions—from urban police to public housing and segregated, underfunded schools—have, through their practices, entrenched a racially unjust status quo.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Dallas also wants to keep running back Javonte Williams, who will be an unrestricted free agent.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Rozier, who the Charlotte Hornets traded to the Heat in January 2024, is set to become an unrestricted free agent this upcoming offseason.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“General.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/general. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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