comprehensive
adjective
com·pre·hen·sive
ˌkäm-pri-ˈhen(t)-siv 
-prē-
1
: covering completely or broadly : inclusive
comprehensive examinations
comprehensive insurance
2
: having or exhibiting wide mental grasp
comprehensive knowledge
comprehensively
adverb
comprehensiveness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of comprehensive in a Sentence
Natalie's every move was photographed, a documentation of a happy childhood as comprehensive as it was false.
—
John Gregory Dunne, New York Review of Books, 15 Jan. 2004
Inevitably, though, in so comprehensive an account, some important events and themes are cursorily checked off …
—Isabel Fonseca, Times Literary Supplement, 29 Jan. 1993
Walcott proceeded to misinterpret these fossils in a comprehensive and thoroughly consistent manner …
—Stephen Jay Gould, Wonderful Life, 1989
a comprehensive overview of European history since the French Revolution
a comprehensive listing of all the paintings generally attributed to the Dutch artist Rembrandt
John Gregory Dunne, New York Review of Books, 15 Jan. 2004
Inevitably, though, in so comprehensive an account, some important events and themes are cursorily checked off …
—Isabel Fonseca, Times Literary Supplement, 29 Jan. 1993
Walcott proceeded to misinterpret these fossils in a comprehensive and thoroughly consistent manner …
—Stephen Jay Gould, Wonderful Life, 1989
a comprehensive overview of European history since the French Revolution
a comprehensive listing of all the paintings generally attributed to the Dutch artist Rembrandt
Recent Examples on the Web
This method, backed by data updated annually from Prosper Insights & Analytics’ Media Behaviors & Influence Survey, provides a comprehensive look at 17,000 adults aged 18+ to determine which media types influence purchasing decisions across several key categories.
—Gary Drenik, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
For comprehensive rankings, go to each category page, which will be updated throughout the weekend.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 31 Oct. 2024
However, experience suggests comprehensive pest proofing is time-consuming, often impractical and usually not 100% effective.
—Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press, 31 Oct. 2024
According to Super Micro, this led to a comprehensive review.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for comprehensive 
Gary Drenik, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
For comprehensive rankings, go to each category page, which will be updated throughout the weekend.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 31 Oct. 2024
However, experience suggests comprehensive pest proofing is time-consuming, often impractical and usually not 100% effective.
—Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press, 31 Oct. 2024
According to Super Micro, this led to a comprehensive review.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for comprehensive
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'comprehensive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Comprehensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comprehensive. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
comprehensive
adjective
com·pre·hen·sive
ˌkäm-pri-ˈhen(t)-siv
: including much or all : full
a comprehensive course of study
a comprehensive list
comprehensiveness
noun
Legal Definition
comprehensive
adjective
com·pre·hen·sive
ˌkäm-pri-ˈhen-siv
: covering completely or broadly
a comprehensive insurance policy
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