comprehensive

adjective

com·​pre·​hen·​sive ˌkäm-pri-ˈhen(t)-siv How to pronounce comprehensive (audio)
-prē-
1
: covering completely or broadly : inclusive
comprehensive examinations
comprehensive insurance
2
: having or exhibiting wide mental grasp
comprehensive knowledge
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
Recent Examples on the Web Nonetheless, two predictions: President Biden won’t proffer a comprehensive plan to address the federal debt. Amity Shlaes, National Review, 7 Mar. 2024 The trading bloc has approved other comprehensive legislation in recent years regulating digital privacy, social media and, soon, artificial intelligence. Brian Fung, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024 Spartanburg, South Carolina After coming in 12th on the US News & World Report’s list of fastest growing places for 2023 to 2024, Spartanburg released a new comprehensive plan to aim for further success. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2024 When appropriate, the Intelligent MPI Triage leverages third-party resources to verify and ensure a comprehensive validation process. Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2024 Most pointedly, White advocated for an amendment to require Bowser to develop a comprehensive public safety plan, which Pinto accepted. Emily Davies, Washington Post, 5 Mar. 2024 The comprehensive approach means that folks suffering from substance abuse or eating disorders can receive both counseling and medication management in one place, instead of getting outsourced for the latter to a super-busy MD. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2024 Lessons from near and far Many of the conservators contracted by the city initially declined to do any preservation work until officials conducted a comprehensive public engagement process. Roberto Roldan, NPR, 1 Mar. 2024 From the Eastside to the Valley to South L.A. to Southeast L.A. County, columnist Gustavo Arellano dives into the key moments and players in this comprehensive series. Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'comprehensive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see comprehension

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of comprehensive was in 1614

Dictionary Entries Near comprehensive

Cite this Entry

“Comprehensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comprehensive. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

comprehensive

adjective
com·​pre·​hen·​sive ˌkäm-pri-ˈhen(t)-siv How to pronounce comprehensive (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce comprehensive (audio)
: covering completely or broadly
a comprehensive insurance policy

More from Merriam-Webster on comprehensive

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