comprehensive

adjective

com·​pre·​hen·​sive ˌkäm-pri-ˈhen(t)-siv How to pronounce comprehensive (audio)
-prē-
1
: covering completely or broadly : inclusive
comprehensive examinations
comprehensive insurance
2
: having or exhibiting wide mental grasp
comprehensive knowledge
comprehensively adverb
comprehensiveness noun

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
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
These kinds of issues frequently pave the way for more comprehensive health optimization. Nick Kasmik, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025 The Vatican has released a comprehensive document offering new guidelines for the ethical development and use of artificial intelligence, with a focus on areas such as warfare and healthcare. Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 29 Jan. 2025 The only thing Trump failed to do was provide 30 days’ notice and a comprehensive list of reasons why. Jack Dunn, Variety, 28 Jan. 2025 But while Faye has just one plan, Travel Guard offers three tiers—from the budget-level Essential policy to the comprehensive Deluxe policy— plus a last-minute travel plan that forgoes trip cancellation coverage. Liz Knueven, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for comprehensive 

Word History

Etymology

see comprehension

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of comprehensive was in 1614

Dictionary Entries Near comprehensive

Cite this Entry

“Comprehensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comprehensive. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

comprehensive

adjective
com·​pre·​hen·​sive ˌkäm-pri-ˈhen(t)-siv How to pronounce comprehensive (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce comprehensive (audio)
: covering completely or broadly
a comprehensive insurance policy

More from Merriam-Webster on comprehensive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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