as in notions
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 generalizations
Parachute Journalism Parachute journalism refers to the practice of briefly visiting a location, observing limited aspects of it, and subsequently producing articles that may rely on broad generalizations about the destination.
—
Suzanne Dundas, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
Pestaina also cautioned against broad generalizations about savings.
—Liz Neporent, ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
If there are any generalizations to be made about how different areas raise different types of players, Latson is qualified to make them.
—Rebecca Shore Winn, Southern Living, 18 Feb. 2026
Those decisions remain governed by statute and must be based on individualized assessments, not generalizations.
—Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
They're exhausted by the constant airing of grievances having little to do with what's actually going on in the country, and by the broad generalizations about, well, everything, that ignore context, nuance and facts to promote a political viewpoint.
—Brenda Looper, Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026
At Tuesday’s meeting, the issue hit close to home as South Asian residents challenged generalizations made about their community.
—Dallas Morning News, 4 Feb. 2026
But sweeping generalizations flatten reality and do a disservice to institutions such as Roosevelt — and students such as mine.
—Ryan Gable, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
Under California law, fraud must be pled with particularity, meaning there must be specifics and details in the complaint; generalizations, inferences and supposition don’t cut it.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Suzanne Dundas, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
Pestaina also cautioned against broad generalizations about savings.
—Liz Neporent, ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
If there are any generalizations to be made about how different areas raise different types of players, Latson is qualified to make them.
—Rebecca Shore Winn, Southern Living, 18 Feb. 2026
Those decisions remain governed by statute and must be based on individualized assessments, not generalizations.
—Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
They're exhausted by the constant airing of grievances having little to do with what's actually going on in the country, and by the broad generalizations about, well, everything, that ignore context, nuance and facts to promote a political viewpoint.
—Brenda Looper, Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026
At Tuesday’s meeting, the issue hit close to home as South Asian residents challenged generalizations made about their community.
—Dallas Morning News, 4 Feb. 2026
But sweeping generalizations flatten reality and do a disservice to institutions such as Roosevelt — and students such as mine.
—Ryan Gable, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
Under California law, fraud must be pled with particularity, meaning there must be specifics and details in the complaint; generalizations, inferences and supposition don’t cut it.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for generalizations
Noun
-
Additionally, curiosity prompts individuals to question assumptions and challenge preconceived notions, thereby reducing the influence of bias in decision-making processes.—
Rebecca Ahmed,
Big Think,
22 Apr. 2026
-
As the Paramount upfront meetings commence, the company appears poised to keep them and is not at present entertaining any notions of returning to the days when CBS held court in front of advertisers at Carnegie Hall.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
It is riddled with slurs, beginning with its title, and, much like his song about Anita Bryant, reinforces various harmful stereotypes, this time about Black people.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Coe used slurs and racist stereotypes in his songs throughout his career.—
Victoria Edel,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
With Brazzell in the mix, the Panthers can get creative with their route concepts.—
Mike Kaye
April 26,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Apr. 2026
-
China makes its own SpiderFab But concepts like SpiderFab could, in theory, completely change all that.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Some say the country is a secular republic founded on 18th-century conceptions of human reason and natural law.—
Thomas Tweed,
The Conversation,
24 Apr. 2026
-
In reaction against the waste of life and ill-success of Mazzini’s program, moderate opinion tended to crystallize around federal conceptions of the solution of the Italian problem.—
Britannica Editors,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Generalizations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/generalizations. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
