comprehensive
adjective
com·pre·hen·sive ˌkäm-pri-ˈhen(t)-siv 
-prē-
1
: covering completely or broadly : inclusive
comprehensive examinations
comprehensive insurance
2
: having or exhibiting wide mental grasp
comprehensive knowledge
comprehensively adverb
comprehensiveness noun
Synonyms
- all-embracing
- all-in [chiefly British]
- all-inclusive
- broad-gauge
- broad-gauged
- compendious
- complete
- cover-all
- cyclopedic
- embracive
- encyclopedic
- exhaustive
- full
- global
- in-depth
- inclusive
- omnibus
- panoramic
- thorough
- universal
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 Jean-Pierre said Republicans in Congress should instead focus on passing a long-term, comprehensive legislation to reform the immigration system. Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2022 All five commissioners hope comprehensive data privacy legislation that’s gaining bipartisan support in Congress becomes law, regardless of party affiliation, but that’s where agreement seems to end. WIRED, 14 Sep. 2022 Democrats have earned some credit for finally bringing forward comprehensive tech legislation—with some bipartisan backing to boot. Jacob Carpenter, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2022 The Inflation Reduction Act, passed by the House of Representatives today, is about to become the first comprehensive climate legislation in U.S. history. Robinson Meyer, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 2022 The most comprehensive legislation was called the Connecticut Clean Air Act, a huge bill that mostly focused on clean transportation as a means for addressing climate change. Jan Ellen Spiegel, Hartford Courant, 12 Aug. 2022 That could change if the comprehensive privacy legislation were to clear Congress. Marcy Gordon, ajc, 11 Aug. 2022 The push for more comprehensive legislation also seeks to provide a pathway to citizenship for all undocumented immigrants. Raphael Romero Ruiz, The Arizona Republic, 12 July 2022 Lawmakers have also been working on comprehensive data privacy legislation, but no proposal is close to being passed. Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 24 June 2022 See More
Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2022 All five commissioners hope comprehensive data privacy legislation that’s gaining bipartisan support in Congress becomes law, regardless of party affiliation, but that’s where agreement seems to end. WIRED, 14 Sep. 2022 Democrats have earned some credit for finally bringing forward comprehensive tech legislation—with some bipartisan backing to boot. Jacob Carpenter, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2022 The Inflation Reduction Act, passed by the House of Representatives today, is about to become the first comprehensive climate legislation in U.S. history. Robinson Meyer, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 2022 The most comprehensive legislation was called the Connecticut Clean Air Act, a huge bill that mostly focused on clean transportation as a means for addressing climate change. Jan Ellen Spiegel, Hartford Courant, 12 Aug. 2022 That could change if the comprehensive privacy legislation were to clear Congress. Marcy Gordon, ajc, 11 Aug. 2022 The push for more comprehensive legislation also seeks to provide a pathway to citizenship for all undocumented immigrants. Raphael Romero Ruiz, The Arizona Republic, 12 July 2022 Lawmakers have also been working on comprehensive data privacy legislation, but no proposal is close to being passed. Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 24 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
see comprehension
First Known Use
1614, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing comprehensive
Kids Definition
comprehensive
adjective
com·pre·hen·sive ˌkäm-pri-ˈhen-siv
: including much : inclusive
a comprehensive course of study
a comprehensive description
Legal Definition
comprehensive
adjective
com·pre·hen·sive ˌkäm-pri-ˈhen-siv
: covering completely or broadly
a comprehensive insurance policy
comprehensive
adjective
1
as in thorough
covering everything or all important points a comprehensive overview of European history since the French Revolution Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- thorough
- extensive
- panoramic
- full
- complete
- inclusive
- exhaustive
- global
- encyclopedic
- in-depth
- compendious
- embracive
- omnibus
- general
- universal
- broad
- all-inclusive
- all-embracing
- vast
- broad-gauged
- cyclopedic
- large
- overall
- wide
- cover-all
- broad-gauge
- all-in
- sweeping
- wide-ranging
- inclusionary
- far
- catholic
- far-reaching
- panoptic
- cosmic
- encyclical
- unrestricted
- indiscriminate
- blanket
- grand
- cosmical
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- specialized
- limited
- precise
- specific
- narrow
- restricted
- individual
- exact
- circumscribed
- incomplete
- singular
- sketchy
- patchy
2
as in complete
not lacking any part or member that properly belongs to it a comprehensive listing of all the paintings generally attributed to the Dutch artist Rembrandt Synonyms & Similar Words
- complete
- entire
- whole
- full
- total
- perfect
- extensive
- integral
- plenary
- intact
- grand
- compleat
- exhaustive
- unabridged
- uncut
- maximal
- undiminished
- full-scale
- full-blown
- full-on
- full-fledged
- all-out
- full-out
- full-bore
- full-blooded
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- partial
- incomplete
- imperfect
- abbreviated
- reduced
- cut
- diminished
- abridged
3
as in extensive
trying all possibilities comprehensive plans for covering just about any conceivable terrorist attack Synonyms & Similar Words
- thorough
- extensive
- complete
- exhaustive
- sweeping
- thoroughgoing
- systematic
- total
- full-scale
- clean
- in-depth
- wide-ranging
- inclusive
- wide
- broad
- methodical
- all-out
- far-reaching
- general
- out-and-out
- global
- methodic
- no-holds-barred
- unhampered
- unrestrained
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- haphazard
- random
- cursory
- desultory
- superficial
- limited
- aimless
- slipshod
- shallow
- hit-or-miss
- narrow
- restricted