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Definitions

general

[jen-er-uhl] / ˈdʒɛn ər əl /
ADJECTIVE
common, accepted
Synonyms
STRONG
accustomed broad commonplace familiar generic humdrum natural normal ordinary prevailing public regular routine universal
WEAK
conventional customary everyday extensive habitual inclusive matter-of-course popular prevalent run-of-the-mill typical uneventful usual wide widespread wonted
Antonyms
STRONG
abnormal different eccentric extraordinary individual infrequent irregular particular peculiar private rare specific strange uncommon unknown unusual
WEAK
circumscribed definite exact exceptional limited novel singular unaccepted unique
ADJECTIVE
inexact, approximate
Synonyms
STRONG
loose
WEAK
ill-defined imprecise inaccurate indefinite not partial not particular not specific uncertain undetailed unspecific vague
Antonyms
WEAK
abnormal circumscribed definite exact exceptional extraordinary individual limited novel particular rare singular specific unaccepted uncommon unique unusual
ADJECTIVE
comprehensive
Synonyms
STRONG
blanket broad catholic collective comprehending diffuse generic infinite overall sweeping total universal
WEAK
across-the-board all-around all-embracing all-inclusive ample ecumenical encyclopedic endless extensive far-reaching global inclusive indiscriminate limitless miscellaneous panoramic taken as a whole ubiquitous unconfined unlimited wide worldwide
Antonyms
STRONG
confined exclusive incomplete limited narrow partial particular restricted specific
WEAK
abnormal circumscribed definite exact exceptional extraordinary individual novel rare singular unaccepted uncommon unique unusual

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“It’s not a silver bullet but several pieces of silver buckshot,” said John Entsminger, general manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

“In general, there is increased interest in on-site generation and off-grid deployments, particularly for new data centers,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

It was obviously considered both wrong in the general sense and criminally prosecutable.

From Slate • Apr. 16, 2026

Out of 100 institutional investors surveyed by research firm Just Capital, just 10% expected large-scale job losses, compared to 30% of the general public.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

Clare shot a vexed look toward the… well, the world in general, because he was not sure where exactly the Afterlife dwelled.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman

Vocabulary lists containing general

Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List

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Workshop 3, Part 1

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Tone and Style

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