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
To operate safely in dynamic industrial settings, the robot is equipped with dual front-and-rear LiDAR systems and a comprehensive perception suite.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 2 June 2026
Kenjura told Crain the police department was working on a comprehensive update to the city’s safety ordinances that will address concerns related to e-scooters and other mobility devices.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 June 2026
Still, there is very little evidence of comprehensive macro stress in the capital markets.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 2 June 2026
In 2022, Florida launched the Coordinated Opioid Recovery (CORE) Network, a comprehensive, statewide system of addiction care.
—John Koufos, Sun Sentinel, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for comprehensive
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Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 2 June 2026
Kenjura told Crain the police department was working on a comprehensive update to the city’s safety ordinances that will address concerns related to e-scooters and other mobility devices.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 June 2026
Still, there is very little evidence of comprehensive macro stress in the capital markets.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 2 June 2026
In 2022, Florida launched the Coordinated Opioid Recovery (CORE) Network, a comprehensive, statewide system of addiction care.
—John Koufos, Sun Sentinel, 2 June 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 3 Jun. 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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