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
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
When to See a Healthcare Provider Hypogonadism can cause symptoms that are nonspecific, meaning they could be caused by and easily attributed to other conditions, including aging.
—James Myhre & Dennis Sifris, Md, Verywell Health, 27 Feb. 2025
Other nonspecific signs that may be associated with asthma include decreased appetite and weight loss.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nonspecific
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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
When to See a Healthcare Provider Hypogonadism can cause symptoms that are nonspecific, meaning they could be caused by and easily attributed to other conditions, including aging.
—James Myhre & Dennis Sifris, Md, Verywell Health, 27 Feb. 2025
Other nonspecific signs that may be associated with asthma include decreased appetite and weight loss.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 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 2 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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