Definition of generalizationnext
as in stereotype
an idea or statement about all of the members of a group or all the instances of a situation the generalization that children who like violent entertainment grow up to be violent criminals

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of generalization If there are any generalizations to be made about how different areas raise different types of players, Latson is qualified to make them. Rebecca Shore Winn, Southern Living, 18 Feb. 2026 This is a generalization, of course, and many only children are very social with other kids. Cynthia Hanson, Parents, 17 Feb. 2026 Those decisions remain governed by statute and must be based on individualized assessments, not generalizations. Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026 They're exhausted by the constant airing of grievances having little to do with what's actually going on in the country, and by the broad generalizations about, well, everything, that ignore context, nuance and facts to promote a political viewpoint. Brenda Looper, Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for generalization
Recent Examples of Synonyms for generalization
Noun
  • Starring Witherspoon as Woods, the film followed a seemingly superficial sorority president who defies stereotypes by earning a place at Harvard Law School.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Research shows that single people going through cancer care have worse outcomes, and DelFattore said those disparities are amplified by stereotypes often held by doctors.
    Michal Ruprecht, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • As a cover track, Isakov is quick to point out the pitfalls of that concept as a whole.
    Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
  • In March, two different indie game developers released workplace simulators built around the same concept.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Bedard down played the notion — for now.
    Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
  • As the Paramount upfront meetings commence, the company appears poised to keep them and is not at present entertaining any notions of returning to the days when CBS held court in front of advertisers at Carnegie Hall.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • When Vacheron Constantin launched the Overseas collection three decades ago, the models embodied the more than 270-year-old maison’s conception of an elegant traveling chronograph — rooted in the spirit of exploration and openness to the world.
    Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Still, the popular conception of what a woman or a man was felt more fluid.
    Supriya Ganesh, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • An alternative theory is that Vermeer employed one of his daughters, Maria, as the model.
    Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Nichols was ready to share with jurors his theory of what happened to Kim Langwell the evening she was murdered.
    Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Generalization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/generalization. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.

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