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
But even within the U.S., strict cybersecurity and patient privacy requirements often mean that using an off-the-shelf, general-purpose AI system won’t cut it.
—
Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025
But economic history tells us that even the most transformative technologies, which economists refer to as general-purpose technologies, can’t be exploited to maximum effect until infrastructure, skills, and products that can complement them are developed.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Coloma has narrow, unprotected bike lanes, two general-purpose travel lanes in each direction, plus a center turning lane.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Choose a general-purpose, balanced liquid fertilizer and apply it approximately once a week when watering, diluting it in a watering can.
3.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for general-purpose
Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025
But economic history tells us that even the most transformative technologies, which economists refer to as general-purpose technologies, can’t be exploited to maximum effect until infrastructure, skills, and products that can complement them are developed.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Coloma has narrow, unprotected bike lanes, two general-purpose travel lanes in each direction, plus a center turning lane.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Choose a general-purpose, balanced liquid fertilizer and apply it approximately once a week when watering, diluting it in a watering can.
3.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for general-purpose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for general-purpose
Adjective
-
Please consider supporting local journalism and getting unlimited digital access.—
Leah Olajide,
Freep.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Bandcamp downloads are available in MP3, FLAC and more, and supporters get unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app.—
Lars Brandle,
Billboard,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The wind and current was such that, as the plane flew over us and dropped the bales of cocaine, the cargo would theoretically stay in the general area between where I was stationed in the Mako and where our mothership was anchored.—
Martin Suarez,
Rolling Stone,
13 Sep. 2025
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In general, why should moist soil be a problem for plants if water is so crucial to their growth?—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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For years, Stern occupied rarified air, an unrestricted satellite radio show where high-profile celebrities could chat, unfiltered, for hours.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
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Each will receive an unrestricted grant of $50,000.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“General-purpose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/general-purpose. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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