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

The 2015 study was one of the first comprehensive research efforts to tally up how much plastic ends up in the ocean.

—Delger Erdenesanaa

2

: having or exhibiting wide mental grasp

comprehensive knowledge of a subject

comprehensively adverb

comprehensiveness noun

Synonyms of comprehensive

• thorough
• panoramic
• extensive
• full
• complete
• inclusive
• exhaustive
• global
• encyclopedic
• all-inclusive

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

Its comprehensive services range from primary care, physical therapy, social work and dental, to transportation, meals, home care and day center activities. —Janice Grandi, Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2025

The treatment is intensive, comprehensive therapy that can include 30-40 hours of direct treatment per week, while more limited therapy may still consist of 10-25 hours per week, according to guidelines released by the Council. —Bram Sable-Smith, NPR, 23 Dec. 2025

Among the best and most comprehensive accounts was published last week in the Times. —David Remnick, New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2025

That said, most research on whole body vibration benefits focuses on older adults; more studies in younger populations are needed to provide a more comprehensive view of the effectiveness of vibration plates. —Julia Sullivan, Outside, 23 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see comprehension

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing comprehensive

• comprehensive school

Rhymes for comprehensive

• apprehensive
• coextensive
• hypertensive
• hypotensive
• inexpensive
• inoffensive
• normotensive
• antihypertensive
• counteroffensive
• defensive
• expensive
• extensive

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