generic

adjective

ge·ner·ic | \jə-ˈner-ik,

-ˈne-rik\

Definition of generic

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : relating to or characteristic of a whole group or class : general "Romantic comedy" is the generic term for such films.

b : not being or having a particular brand name generic drugs

c : having no particularly distinctive quality or application generic restaurants

2 : relating to or having the rank of a biological genus

generic

noun

Definition of generic (Entry 2 of 2)

: a product (such as a drug) that does not have a brand name

Other Words from generic Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about generic

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Synonyms & Antonyms for generic

Synonyms: Adjective

across-the-board, blanket, broad-brush, common, general, global, overall, universal

Antonyms: Adjective

individual, particular

Examples of generic in a Sentence

Adjective

“Flu” is sometimes used as a generic term for any illness caused by a virus. a love of big things—big cars, big meals—seems to be a generic trait of the American people

Noun

You can substitute generics for brand-name drugs on this health plan.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

The Obama administration has [also] spent over a year pressuring the Indian government to abandon its policy of providing a less expensive generic version of a new cancer drug. — Eric Levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "It’s Normal for the U.S. to Put Corporate Profits Above Babies’ Health," 10 July 2018 In Cleveland, the generic version of Paxil, the antidepressant, costs about $46.94, while in Columbus, someone would pay $20.87. — Katie Thomas, BostonGlobe.com, "What does a drug cost? It depends on where you live.," 7 July 2018 The company has since started selling a generic version for about $300. — Peter Loftus, WSJ, "Novartis Injects Itself Into Planned Rollout of EpiPen Competitor," 2 July 2018 After hearing that people were angry about Mylan raising the price of a two-pack of EpiPens from about $100 to more than $600, Bresch said Mylan didn’t hesitate to bring out a generic version of the EpiPen that sold for just $300. — David Lazarus, latimes.com, "Always look on the bright side of life, says CEO who raised EpiPen price by more than 400%," 5 June 2018 The generic version of Ambien, zolpidem, can also cause the same side effects, as can other drugs in the same class—like Lunesta (eszopiclone) and Sonata (zaleplon). — Amanda Macmillan, Health.com, "Roseanne Barr Blamed Her Racist Tweet on Ambien. Here's What an Expert Thinks," 30 May 2018 One of the most well-known is Coumadin, or its generic version, warfarin. — Sandy Bauers, Philly.com, "How high-tech genomics - and simple aspirin - could make your joint replacement better," 17 May 2018 Some patient advocates have criticized the ability of drug companies to game the approval process, slowing the approval of cheaper, generic versions of their drugs. — John Fritze, Indianapolis Star, "Donald Trump vows to lower 'soaring' drug prices, but abandons campaign pledge," 11 May 2018 The shortage applies to the Mylan-brand EpiPen, according to NBC News, as well as Mylan’s generic version and an autoinjector from another brand, Adrenaclick. — Julie Mazziotta, PEOPLE.com, "FDA Announces Nationwide EpiPen Shortage, Causing Concern for People with Severe Allergies," 10 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

With two generics for Vagifem now available, the drug companies are most likely negotiating big discounts with insurers, meaning patients with coverage may see their costs drop. — Katie Thomas, New York Times, "Prices Keep Rising for Drugs Treating Painful Sex in Women," 3 June 2018 The company, which is not abandoning research into tropical diseases such as malaria, is looking to license its early-stage products and stressed that its Sandoz generics unit continues to manufacture and sell antibiotics and antivirals. — Ed Silverman, STAT, "Pharmalittle: Most drug price hikes occurred before Azar arrived; Novartis abandons antibiotics," 12 July 2018 Besides generics, Brandicourt has overseen the divestiture of Sanofi’s veterinary-medicines business to Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH in a 22.8-billion-euro asset swap. — Phil Serafino, Bloomberg.com, "Sanofi to Sell Generics for $2.4 Billion to Focus on Biotech," 17 Apr. 2018 At a court hearing last year, a lawyer for Mylan, Jonathan M. Jacobson, told a federal district judge that the drug costs dying patients $20,000 a month — a price that would decline if generics were available. — Sheila Kaplan, New York Times, "F.D.A. Names and Shames Drug Makers to Encourage Generic Competition," 17 May 2018 Schilsky said both treatments are ‘‘pretty inexpensive’’ since the drugs are available as generics. — Lindsey Tanner, BostonGlobe.com, "Study finds rare gain for tough-to-treat pancreatic cancer," 4 June 2018 Nobel Prize–winning economist Joseph Stiglitz has suggested a prize system in which the government buys up the patents of drugs that prove themselves effective, and then allows them to be retailed as generics. — Eric Levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "It’s Normal for the U.S. to Put Corporate Profits Above Babies’ Health," 10 July 2018 Statins, the cholesterol drugs patients take daily for years that were the industry’s best selling drug class in decades past, are now available as cheap generics. — Charley Grant, WSJ, "What Is Ailing the Drug Industry?," 22 June 2018 These formularies are lists of medicines for which insurance coverage is provided, but there are different tiers, or levels, and insurers were continually placing more generics on higher tiers that require greater out-of-pocket spending. — Ed Silverman, STAT, "Seniors paid more for generics in Medicare Part D plans," 22 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'generic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.