as in stereotype
an idea or statement about all of the members of a group or all the instances of a situation the generalization that children who like violent entertainment grow up to be violent criminals

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 generalization While such generalizations have historically been used to demonize enemies, there is still a contrived tendency to divide the world into land and sea powers. Colin Flint, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2025 Rather than jumping right in with accusations or sweeping generalizations, the goal is instead to frame your concerns in a way that prompts conversation—not combat. Mark Travers, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025 That’s not true — very subjective and extreme generalization. Andy Hoglund, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2025 In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), the musician suggested that accounts sharing generalizations about symptoms that could signify certain mental health conditions has led to an uptick in potentially harmful self-diagnoses. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for generalization
Recent Examples of Synonyms for generalization
Noun
  • Marianna Zhang was studying how children develop race and gender stereotypes as a postdoctoral fellow at New York University when her National Science Foundation grant was canceled.
    Christina Larson, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2025
  • The law also protects transgender students and students who don’t conform to gender stereotypes.
    Jim Drummond, Oc Register, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • But without the grounding ballast of a well-articulated sense of self, these jokes are free-floating concepts in search of the context that actually makes sitcom quips memorable.
    Alison Herman, Variety, 28 May 2025
  • Freedom Denim addressed the demand for soft fabrics with several new concepts including a robust line of chenille denim.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 28 May 2025
Noun
  • This perhaps more than anything else puts the lie to the notion that the administration wants people to follow the law.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025
  • The images of cars lined up to collect food at distribution facilities are etched in our minds—images that reflect the intrinsic good of the American people and underscore the notion that nonprofits are a force multiplier.
    Kendra Davenport, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • As a child growing up in Greensboro, North Carolina, Elliott Hundley formed his conception of how artists live based on cinematic archetypes of painters and sculptors roughing it in bohemian splendor in converted industrial spaces.
    Mayer Rus, Architectural Digest, 30 May 2025
  • Akin uses a child’s perspective to wrestle with a nation’s conception of itself in the waning days of brutality.
    Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 23 May 2025
Noun
  • Russian sources, however, have suggested a third theory: that Portnov might have held compromising material on current Ukrainian officials.
    Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
  • But as hardcore Swift fans know, popular theories don’t always play out in real life.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 23 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Generalization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/generalization. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on generalization

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!