as in unlimited
not limited or specialized in application or purpose
a general-purpose glue for routine household repairs
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Recent Examples of general-purpose
But even within the U.S., strict cybersecurity and patient privacy requirements often mean that using an off-the-shelf, general-purpose AI system won’t cut it.
—
Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025
But economic history tells us that even the most transformative technologies, which economists refer to as general-purpose technologies, can’t be exploited to maximum effect until infrastructure, skills, and products that can complement them are developed.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Coloma has narrow, unprotected bike lanes, two general-purpose travel lanes in each direction, plus a center turning lane.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Choose a general-purpose, balanced liquid fertilizer and apply it approximately once a week when watering, diluting it in a watering can.
3.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for general-purpose
Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025
But economic history tells us that even the most transformative technologies, which economists refer to as general-purpose technologies, can’t be exploited to maximum effect until infrastructure, skills, and products that can complement them are developed.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Coloma has narrow, unprotected bike lanes, two general-purpose travel lanes in each direction, plus a center turning lane.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Choose a general-purpose, balanced liquid fertilizer and apply it approximately once a week when watering, diluting it in a watering can.
3.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for general-purpose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for general-purpose
Adjective
-
Each burger is served with fries or tots and includes unlimited access to Ruby Tuesday's Garden Bar, which features fresh greens, vegetables and premium toppings and dressings.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Chevy’s confidence in the ZR1 also felt a bit more palpable, as proven by a previous media launch held earlier this year that featured almost unlimited lapping throughout a hot day at the United States’ premier Formula One track, the Circuit of the Americas.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The wind and current was such that, as the plane flew over us and dropped the bales of cocaine, the cargo would theoretically stay in the general area between where I was stationed in the Mako and where our mothership was anchored.—
Martin Suarez,
Rolling Stone,
13 Sep. 2025
-
In general, why should moist soil be a problem for plants if water is so crucial to their growth?—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Kuminga could accept the Wariros' one-year qualifying offer to become an unrestricted free agent in 2026.—
Ricardo Klein,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Wahlstrom had 15 points in 19 games with Providence but was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Bruins in June and became an unrestricted free agent.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“General-purpose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/general-purpose. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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