comprehensive
adjective
com·pre·hen·sive
ˌkäm-pri-ˈhen(t)-siv 
-prē-
1
: covering completely or broadly : inclusive
comprehensive examinations
comprehensive insurance
This is where that comprehensive review of your finances can come in handy.—
Kevin L. Matthews II
Kevin L. Matthews IIThe 2015 study was one of the first comprehensive research efforts to tally up how much plastic ends up in the ocean.—Delger Erdenesanaa
Delger Erdenesanaa2
: having or exhibiting wide mental grasp
comprehensive knowledge of a subject
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
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
The Mavericks now begin a comprehensive search for their next head coach, hoping their next candidate is a promising figure with little regard for the spree of bad luck that has encumbered this organization.
—Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 May 2026
Most clinics start with comprehensive evaluations that can include CT, MRI and DXA scans, blood panels, cognitive testing, fitness assessments and genome sequencing.
—Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 May 2026
Goldman Sachs came into the week with a comprehensive breakdown of this AI dominance across several fronts.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 19 May 2026
The goal is to be a comprehensive platform that protects both piracy and privacy.
—Wyles Daniel
may 19, Miami Herald, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for comprehensive
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Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 May 2026
Most clinics start with comprehensive evaluations that can include CT, MRI and DXA scans, blood panels, cognitive testing, fitness assessments and genome sequencing.
—Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 May 2026
Goldman Sachs came into the week with a comprehensive breakdown of this AI dominance across several fronts.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 19 May 2026
The goal is to be a comprehensive platform that protects both piracy and privacy.
—Wyles Daniel
may 19, Miami Herald, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for comprehensive
Cite this Entry
“Comprehensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comprehensive. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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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