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
Thanks to the advent of consumer genetic testing, more than 20% of the general population has submitted DNA samples to private companies. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 July 2026 In addition, the Thunder can carry precision munitions, electronic warfare modules, or general cargo. — David Szondy july 21, New Atlas, 21 July 2026
Noun
His endurance as an affable leading man, capable of keeping the audience on the side of a textually hubristic war general, is likely to at least earn him a third Best Actor nomination. — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 22 July 2026 Zelenskyy sacks Ukraine military chief Ukraine’s president on Tuesday dismissed his top general, in the country’s biggest military shakeup since 2024. — Max Tani, semafor.com, 22 July 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
  • This may not affect the person’s overall testosterone levels and sperm counts, as the uninjured testicle may be able to compensate.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
  • At Airbus’s facilities, engineers will carry out aircraft-level integration tests focused on validating the overall aircraft design, battery interfaces and energy-management systems.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 26 July 2026
Definition of overall
Adjective
  • Candidates running for the 5th District will have to represent a broad swath of urban, suburban and rural voters, including eastern Kansas City and places hours away such as Jefferson City, the state’s capital city.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
  • When the government raised fuel prices by 50% in 2019, nationwide protests quickly escalated into broader anti-government unrest and were met with a sweeping security crackdown and an internet blackout.
    — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 26 July 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
  • The Australian regulator is taking issue with what's shared in group chats of up to 200 people and channels with unlimited reach.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
  • Another error is confusing dependability with unlimited availability, leading to burnout when reliable employees are constantly overloaded with last-minute or after-hours requests.
    — Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of unlimited
Noun
  • Several hospital executives, lawyers, and others have raised doubts about CPSC’s claimed authority.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
  • For modern executives, this means treating their brain and emotional world as non-negotiable operational assets.
    — Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of executive
Adjective
  • This all seems to be great advice, if a little generic and overstated.
    — Melissa A. Wheeler, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • Within months of losing exclusivity, generic substitution reduced Lipitor’s price by 90%.
    — Roderick Wong, Fortune, 25 July 2026
Definition of generic
Adjective
  • For more than a decade, India’s leader Narendra Modi has seemed politically unassailable, presiding over a government that has outmaneuvered opponents, dominated public discourse and squeezed the space for dissent in the world’s biggest democracy.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
  • If a person is charged in the case, Becchina said, their identify and the charges will become public.
    — Eric Adler July 28, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026
Definition of public
Adjective
  • And being vigilant when granting AI agents unrestricted permissions — to use external apps on one’s behalf, or to be able to edit and write with autonomy — might help keep one safe.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
  • Ajay Mitchell is set to join him in unrestricted free agency, while Jared McCain and Nikola Topić will be restricted free agents.
    — Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 29 July 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 31 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on general

Nglish: Translation of general for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about general

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