nonspecific
adjective
non·spe·cif·ic
ˌnän-spi-ˈsi-fik 
: not specific: such as
a
: lacking in detail or particulars
nonspecific answers
a nonspecific description
b
: not caused by a specific or identified agent
nonspecific enteritis
c
: not restricted to a particular category, situation, or group
nonspecific flu-like symptoms
d
: not affecting a particular region or part
nonspecific pain
e
: having a general purpose, effect, or action : lacking in specificity
nonspecific antiviral agents
nonspecific irritants
nonspecifically
adverb
After a toxic protein is released into the bloodstream, it is taken up by macrophages, cells that nonspecifically scavenge and ingest various substances.
—
Harald von Boehmer and Pawel Kisielow
Harald von Boehmer and Pawel Kisielow
Examples of nonspecific in a Sentence
his criticism of the picture is fairly nonspecific, but he clearly doesn't like it
Recent Examples on the Web
Digestive symptoms are often nonspecific and can be caused by various conditions.
—Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 5 May 2025
Early symptoms are often nonspecific and could be attributed to other conditions.
—Jessica Swirble, Verywell Health, 17 Apr. 2025
In its place, there is only nonspecific pablum about the power of community.
—Constance Grady, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
The ballot language was nonspecific on how the money raised would be spent and did not specify that a big chunk of it would be used to build a 250-bed jail estimated to cost between $150 million to $250 million.
—Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nonspecific
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Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 5 May 2025
Early symptoms are often nonspecific and could be attributed to other conditions.
—Jessica Swirble, Verywell Health, 17 Apr. 2025
In its place, there is only nonspecific pablum about the power of community.
—Constance Grady, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
The ballot language was nonspecific on how the money raised would be spent and did not specify that a big chunk of it would be used to build a 250-bed jail estimated to cost between $150 million to $250 million.
—Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nonspecific
Cite this Entry
“Nonspecific.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonspecific. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
nonspecific
adjective
non·spe·cif·ic
-spi-ˈsif-ik
: not specific: as
a
: not caused by a specific or identified agent
nonspecific enteritis
b
: not restricted to a particular category, situation, or group
nonspecific flu-like symptoms
c
: not affecting a particular region or part
nonspecific pain
d
: having a general purpose, effect, or action
nonspecific antiviral agents
nonspecific irritants
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