as in general
belonging or relating to the whole
an unfair, broad-brush accusation of corruption in the statehouse
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Recent Examples of broad-brush
Depending on the evaluation criteria, a traditional broad-brush answer would say picking three starters is considered a success story.
—
Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2025
Characters archly comment on proceedings directly to camera at some points and retreat into the staid distance of historical drama at others, as passages of seemingly earnest melodrama crash abruptly into broad-brush contemporary satire.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 20 Sep. 2025
But broad-brush fearmongering does nothing to help us support these efforts.
—Diane Goldstein, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025
Both China and the EU have been targets of President Donald Trump’s broad-brush global tariff regime, and have pivoted to each other for more predictable trade parternships.
—Michael Taylor, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
This broad-brush approach creates regulatory uncertainty, discourages institutional adoption, and pushes businesses to more welcoming jurisdictions.
—Susie Violet Ward, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
While the administration has given the broad-brush details of its trade plans, the details and implementation are still up for grabs.
—Josh Fellman, Quartz, 12 Feb. 2025
Making up for the broad-brush failure generally, and Pittsburgh specifically, is almost impossible, but Saturday provides an ideal opportunity.
—Paul Dehner Jr., The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2025
Characters archly comment on proceedings directly to camera at some points and retreat into the staid distance of historical drama at others, as passages of seemingly earnest melodrama crash abruptly into broad-brush contemporary satire.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 20 Sep. 2025
But broad-brush fearmongering does nothing to help us support these efforts.
—Diane Goldstein, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025
Both China and the EU have been targets of President Donald Trump’s broad-brush global tariff regime, and have pivoted to each other for more predictable trade parternships.
—Michael Taylor, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
This broad-brush approach creates regulatory uncertainty, discourages institutional adoption, and pushes businesses to more welcoming jurisdictions.
—Susie Violet Ward, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
While the administration has given the broad-brush details of its trade plans, the details and implementation are still up for grabs.
—Josh Fellman, Quartz, 12 Feb. 2025
Making up for the broad-brush failure generally, and Pittsburgh specifically, is almost impossible, but Saturday provides an ideal opportunity.
—Paul Dehner Jr., The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broad-brush
Adjective
-
The two Spinosaurus species, which were contemporaneous, shared the same general body plan including long dorsal spines forming the sail-like structure and a skull adapted for hunting fish.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
20 Feb. 2026
-
In person, Melling is naturally curious, freely solicitous of my opinions about the film or book recommendations in general.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Each addresses a specific regional risk that generic advice misses.—
Allison Palmer
Updated February 19,
Kansas City Star,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Harsh Conditions Left Bare Patches Winter kill is a generic term for damage to lawns from exposure to harsh conditions.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The blowout loss would mark not only the biggest margin of defeat for the Trojans in two seasons under Musselman but also the first time USC (18-8 overall, 7-8 in the Big Ten) has given up more than 100 points in a game since 2019.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The win boosted San Diego State’s overall record to 21-4.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The university disputed his statement, saying the deficit is substantially lower and stems from broader institutional and external factors.—
Jaweed Kaleem,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
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Some board members who voted no said the district had not sufficiently demonstrated that broad layoff notices were the most responsible or strategic option and argued that the analysis did not fully account for the operational and human consequences of issuing RIF notices at that scale.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Accessibility information All common areas, including dining areas and the pool, are wheelchair-accessible.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
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The team used a durable industrial plastic called nylon‑11 that, unlike common nylons, can generate electricity from pressure when its molecules are carefully aligned, according to a press release.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Broad-brush.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broad-brush. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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