GENERIC Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

generic

adjective

jə-ˈner-ik

Definition of generic

as in general

belonging or relating to the whole a love of big things—big cars, big meals—seems to be a generic trait of the American people

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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 generic Readers repeatedly reward venues that lean into local flavor rather than generic concourse fare, and the current list reflects a mix of household-name vendors and homegrown operators. — Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026 The agreement marks the latest settlement in a long-running battle between numerous states and many of the largest players in the generic drug industry, which were accused of fixing prices for their medicines. — Ed Silverman, STAT, 15 July 2026 But there is arguably a more generic quality to beauty nowadays. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026 This $33 shampoo is literally a treatment for your scalp rather than a generic wash-and-rinse formula. — Essence Wiley, InStyle, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for generic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for generic

Adjective

With Robertson in the lineup heading into training camp, general manager Jim Nill now has some options.

— Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 22 July 2026
With multiple companies able to utilize general intelligence similarly, what will differentiate your firm from another will be the ability of your model to understand the work that needs to be done.

— TerDawn DeBoe, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of general

Adjective

Although the World cup probably boosted overall economic activity in the host cities, the games coincided with the Iran war, which raised consumer prices and sapped some demand, noted Joe Brusuelas, chief US economist for RBS.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
And Rodri received the Golden Ball award as the World Cup’s best overall player.

— Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Definition of overall

Adjective

The combination of these two groups feeding on a single stem of common milkweed cleared all the leaves and seed pods within three days.

— Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
The biggest common factor across Asia is longevity, Park said – and how people are thinking differently about the final part of their lives.

— Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 26 July 2026

Definition of common

Adjective

There is no universal battery chemistry, and the best battery for an industrial fleet is not necessarily the lightest or highest-energy-density battery.

— Darren Tan, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Her campaign also called for universal childcare and refused corporate donations.

— Sophia Mandt, The Washington Examiner, 17 July 2026

Definition of universal

Browse Nearby Words

generators

generic

generosity

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“Generic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/generic. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of generic

adjective

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