as in unlimited
not limited or specialized in application or purpose
a general-purpose glue for routine household repairs
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Recent Examples of general-purpose
Instead, these tools were trained on huge amounts of text and media drawn largely from across the internet and then launched as general-purpose chatbots.
—
Robert Maloy, The Conversation, 17 Oct. 2025
The next era of tech will be about who makes general-purpose AI software that consumers want, and who is able to do it profitably.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Commissioned by the Army Ordinance Corps at the midpoint of World War II, ENIAC was the world’s first electronic general-purpose computer.
—Angus Fletcher, Big Think, 29 Sep. 2025
For now, and possibly forever, advances in AI are more likely to be iterative, like other general-purpose technologies.
—Michael C. Horowitz, Foreign Affairs, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for general-purpose
Robert Maloy, The Conversation, 17 Oct. 2025
The next era of tech will be about who makes general-purpose AI software that consumers want, and who is able to do it profitably.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Commissioned by the Army Ordinance Corps at the midpoint of World War II, ENIAC was the world’s first electronic general-purpose computer.
—Angus Fletcher, Big Think, 29 Sep. 2025
For now, and possibly forever, advances in AI are more likely to be iterative, like other general-purpose technologies.
—Michael C. Horowitz, Foreign Affairs, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for general-purpose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for general-purpose
Adjective
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Those past titles didn’t come amid this new era of unlimited transfers and name, image and likeness money, which have flattened the top of the sport.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
30 Oct. 2025
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Subscribe to Foreign Affairs to get unlimited access.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In general, the family and the Brown-Forman Foundation, the company's philanthropic arm, tries to be consistent with its giving, said current Brown-Forman board chairman Farrer.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
26 Oct. 2025
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Led by quarterback Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt’s roster has been built by coach Clark Lea and general manager Barton Simmons, a longtime recruiting analyst for Rivals and 247Sports.—
The Athletic College Football Staff,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, Spelman College put Scott's $20 million unrestricted donation to a variety of uses, a school spokesperson tells PEOPLE.—
Jillian Frankel,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
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All In Motion Active Light High-Rise Wide-Leg Pants Made from a blend of recycled polyester and spandex, the high-rise pants are lightweight and stretchy, providing unrestricted movement needed for travel.—
Destinee Scott,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“General-purpose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/general-purpose. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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