1
as in overall
belonging or relating to the whole
a general increase in postage rates there's been a general improvement in the economy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in broad
relating to the main elements and not to specific details
gave the general impression of being kindhearted a general course of study in American history
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in prevailing
held by or applicable to a majority of the people
it was the general opinion that the politician was a liar the general mood of the nation was one of hope and optimism
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in unlimited
not limited or specialized in application or purpose
a new kitchen tool of general usefulness a general education
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in executive
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of general
Danielle Zickl, Outside, 11 Jan. 2026
The latest budget forecast by the state comptroller’s office predicts surpluses of $136 million in the general fund and $50 million in the special transportation fund in the current fiscal year that ends on June 30.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 11 Jan. 2026
Manuel Mendoza, Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026
So, why wouldn’t an owner consider a general with a special teams background?
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for general
Adjective
Indeed, exercise in general improves fatigue, energy, and vitality, according to research, so getting in some movement first thing in the morning can do all that.
—Danielle Zickl, Outside, 11 Jan. 2026
The latest budget forecast by the state comptroller’s office predicts surpluses of $136 million in the general fund and $50 million in the special transportation fund in the current fiscal year that ends on June 30.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 11 Jan. 2026
Noun
Bloodier outcomes await the characters in Shakespeare Dallas’ Macbeth when three witches tell a general he is destined to be king.
—Manuel Mendoza, Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026
So, why wouldn’t an owner consider a general with a special teams background?
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for general
Recent Examples of Synonyms for general
Adjective
-
Rheinmetall revealed that the technology will reduce the production costs of green hydrogen through lower investment in the overall system, accompanied by a doubling of power density or an improvement in efficiency of over 10%.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Other critics have given mixed reviews of the new Big Arch sauce, which some say doesn't compare to the classic Big Mac version, as well as the overall flavor.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The court’s eventual ruling could have broad implications for how schools nationwide regulate transgender participation in athletics.—
Heather Hunter,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Strong results, broad impact The team tested the system against conventional motion reproduction systems, linear interpolation methods, and a typical imitation learning model.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The monthly stochastic oscillator remains in overbought territory ( > 80%), underscoring the strength of the prevailing bullish trend rather than signaling exhaustion.—
Katie Stockton,
CNBC,
15 Dec. 2025
-
As municipal pools became mixed-gender in the 1920s and ’30s, swimming naked no longer fit prevailing notions of decency.—
Jacob Beckert,
The Atlantic,
13 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The letter cited Boise City Code, which prohibits selling or advertising unlimited alcoholic drinks for a single price.—
Rose Evans,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Applicants can submit up to five pieces per entry, with unlimited submissions allowed, at a $20 fee per entry.—
Mona Darwish,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But early albums did not produce songs with mass appeal, at times frustrating record label executives who craved shorter, radio-friendly tunes that would drive sales.—
Adam Levine,
CNN Money,
11 Jan. 2026
-
New documents filed Friday in the Rose Bowl’s breach-of-contract case against UCLA that also accuses Kroenke Sports and Entertainment of meddling on behalf of SoFi Stadium revealed communication between UCLA and a top Kroenke executive dating to August 2024.—
Ben Bolch,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
There’s a generic quality both to singer-songwriter Michaelson’s score (a combination of folk and Broadway pop) and to a romance that seems almost mystically predestined.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
-
These elements cannot be captured through a generic governance rubric.—
Shane Goodwin,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
There are other examples of lawmakers leaving public office for lobbying roles, but keeping their accounts open and spending from them.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacbee.com,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The state Department of Education controls public education, under the leadership of the governor and the Legislature.—
SHELLEY SMITH SPECIAL TO THE DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE,
Arkansas Online,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Dallas also wants to keep running back Javonte Williams, who will be an unrestricted free agent.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Rozier, who the Charlotte Hornets traded to the Heat in January 2024, is set to become an unrestricted free agent this upcoming offseason.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“General.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/general. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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