1
as in general
belonging or relating to the whole
the overall view seems to be that we're doing fine economically
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in broad
relating to the main elements and not to specific details
there's an overall similarity in the looks of the models for that chain of clothing stores
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in prevailing
held by or applicable to a majority of the people
the overall mind-set among the people in our town seems to be that any increase in taxes is bad
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in collectively
with everyone or everything taken into account at the same time
reduce the budget overall by 15 percent
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mostly
for the most part
overall, this is a good speech, but it could use a little humor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 overall
Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
An index of producer prices, a key component of overall inflation, jumped 6% in April from a year earlier, the Labor Department reported on Wednesday.
—Reuters, NBC news, 13 May 2026
Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 13 May 2026
Gray has been good at home, a more reliable starter, and Painter has been awful overall.
—David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for overall
Adjective
In general, overall deals are becoming fewer and further in-between.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
An index of producer prices, a key component of overall inflation, jumped 6% in April from a year earlier, the Labor Department reported on Wednesday.
—Reuters, NBC news, 13 May 2026
Adverb
She is expected to be a centerpiece for the Wings — and, really, the entire league — after being selected first overall and rejoining her former UConn teammate, Paige Bueckers, in Texas.
—Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 13 May 2026
Gray has been good at home, a more reliable starter, and Painter has been awful overall.
—David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for overall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overall
Adjective
-
The Fields pairs highly adaptable facilities with expert, hands-on production support — a combination that general manager RoseMary Prodonovich says is designed to fuel creative endeavors.—
Kathy A. McDonald,
Variety,
15 May 2026
-
Husband is a genuinely excellent partner and a kind, funny, good person in general.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
The partnership expands in spring 2027 with a broader assortment of footwear, accessories and small leather goods.—
Katie Abel,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
-
However, when combined with broader tax regimes, these tax policies may contribute to gradual shifts in where ultra-wealthy individuals allocate assets, particularly toward lower-tax jurisdictions.—
Trevor Laurence Jockims,
CNBC,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
The group noted the projection was revised upward from an earlier estimate owing to an additional year in the budget window and higher prevailing interest rates.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Likewise, prevailing concepts of Hamlet at the time cast the prince as a wan and melancholic, leading critics to bristle at Bernhardt’s energy.—
Betsy Golden Kellem,
JSTOR Daily,
18 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Wildfires burning in Miami-Dade and Broward have collectively consumed thousands of acres, reducing local air quality and impacting visibility.—
Sarah Perkel,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
-
Bird hope this will collectively allow creators to win commissions or secure investment from broadcasters and streamers.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
11 May 2026
Adverb
-
Social Security benefits – paid mostly to recipients who are older or retired – are typically scheduled to go out on Wednesdays.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
-
And yet the ceasefire has mostly held.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
Rather than prescribing a generic gym split, Jimenez’s programming prioritized cardiovascular efficiency, resistance training, stability, and mobility.—
Justin Fenner,
Robb Report,
14 May 2026
-
India and Canada recently approved their first generic versions of Ozempic, and countries including China, Brazil and South Africa are expected to soon follow, according to Robin Feldman, a pharmaceutical and intellectual property law expert at the University of California Law San Francisco.—
Berkeley Lovelace Jr,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Glossip has received public support both nationally and internationally, including from celebrities like Kim Kardashian.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
Their last public appearance as a couple was in November at Italy’s Torino Film Festival, according to E!—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
Adverb
-
But claims that Los Angeles — alongside New York — was the safest big city are generally considered overstated rather than conclusively proven.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
Side Effects of Probiotics Probiotics, especially the most common Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, are generally safe for most people to consume.—
Isabel Vasquez RD LDN,
Health,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overall. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
