nonspecific
adjective
non·spe·cif·ic
ˌnän-spi-ˈsi-fik 
: not specific: such as
a
: lacking in detail or particulars
nonspecific answers
a nonspecific description
b
: not caused by a specific or identified agent
nonspecific enteritis
c
: not restricted to a particular category, situation, or group
nonspecific flu-like symptoms
d
: not affecting a particular region or part
nonspecific pain
e
: having a general purpose, effect, or action : lacking in specificity
nonspecific antiviral agents
nonspecific irritants
nonspecifically
adverb
After a toxic protein is released into the bloodstream, it is taken up by macrophages, cells that nonspecifically scavenge and ingest various substances.
—
Harald von Boehmer and Pawel Kisielow
Harald von Boehmer and Pawel Kisielow
Synonyms
Examples of nonspecific in a Sentence
his criticism of the picture is fairly nonspecific, but he clearly doesn't like it
Recent Examples on the Web
Trump recently threatened nonspecific tariffs against the European Union if the trade bloc didn’t step up U.S. oil and gas imports.
—Dearbea Walker, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
Each country offered nonspecific proposals devoid of the numerical targets that are usually present in G–20 action plans, and each tended to focus on domestic policies.
—Rebecca Liao, Foreign Affairs, 17 July 2017
As Claude leaves a weirdly nonspecific voicemail for Valentina in the next room (another classic blunder), Roselyn scoops some cyanide-containing silver polish out of its container on his desk and stirs it briskly into his tea.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024
Those who do have nonspecific symptoms such as a fever, a headache, rash, nausea, vomiting, aches and pains in the joints, eyes, muscles or bones.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American-Statesman, 11 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for nonspecific 
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Dearbea Walker, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
Each country offered nonspecific proposals devoid of the numerical targets that are usually present in G–20 action plans, and each tended to focus on domestic policies.
—Rebecca Liao, Foreign Affairs, 17 July 2017
As Claude leaves a weirdly nonspecific voicemail for Valentina in the next room (another classic blunder), Roselyn scoops some cyanide-containing silver polish out of its container on his desk and stirs it briskly into his tea.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024
Those who do have nonspecific symptoms such as a fever, a headache, rash, nausea, vomiting, aches and pains in the joints, eyes, muscles or bones.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American-Statesman, 11 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for nonspecific
Dictionary Entries Near nonspecific
Cite this Entry
“Nonspecific.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonspecific. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
nonspecific
adjective
non·spe·cif·ic
-spi-ˈsif-ik
: not specific: as
a
: not caused by a specific or identified agent
nonspecific enteritis
b
: not restricted to a particular category, situation, or group
nonspecific flu-like symptoms
c
: not affecting a particular region or part
nonspecific pain
d
: having a general purpose, effect, or action
nonspecific antiviral agents
nonspecific irritants
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