GENERAL-PURPOSE Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

general-purpose

adjective

ˈjen-rəl-ˈpər-pəs

Definition of general-purpose

as in unlimited

not limited or specialized in application or purpose a general-purpose glue for routine household repairs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 general-purpose However, the robots on display in the World Humanoid Robot Games are still very far from general-purpose autonomous robots capable of handling practically any task. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2026 Brain cells at work Traditional data centers rely on silicon processors and general-purpose Central Processing Units (CPUs). — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026 By 1981 its first chip fabrication plant was up and running there, pumping out general-purpose memory chips known as DRAM. — Cj Haddad,katie Tarasov, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026 But these are specialized tools tested in research studies — not the general-purpose chatbots like ChatGPT that most teens actually use. — Megan Kelly, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for general-purpose

Recent Examples of Synonyms for general-purpose

Adjective

Getting unlimited In negotiations with TV channel operators, YouTube executives have always leaned on user studies to back up requests in negotiations.

— Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 1 Sep. 2026
This Unlimited plan adds unlimited monthly messages under a fair use policy, priority access to new features and models, and support for unlimited devices.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of unlimited

Adjective

Shelley served as the Warriors’ associate general counsel and director of business and legal affairs and risk management, and Vasquez was the vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion.

— Devon Henderson, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
The Israel Defense Forces captured Hamas' head of general security during a raid in Gaza, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said.

— Anders Hagstrom, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of general

Adjective

TickTalk’s approach is communication first, safety always, with less screen time and fewer distractions than a smartphone with social media, games, and unrestricted internet access.

— Jon Stojan, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Last June, Shara signed a decree permitting foreign investors full ownership rights in most sectors, an unrestricted ability to repatriate their profits, and extensive tax and customs concessions.

— Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of unrestricted

Browse Nearby Words

general practitioners

general-purpose

generals

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“General-purpose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/general-purpose. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of general-purpose

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

matriculate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes