generalization

noun

ˌjen-rə-lə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce generalization (audio)
Definition of generalizationnext
as in stereotype
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 generalization But to make some generalization that all career women are psychotic because Glenn Close happened to be psychotic at the end of that movie is just silly. — Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026 At last week’s meeting, though, Warsh spoke largely in platitudes and generalizations. — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026 So solving this generalization gap is key to maintaining its status as today’s market champion. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 July 2026 Some called out the statement for making sweeping generalizations about Phish fans, especially when most of the crowd was all kind vibes. — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for generalization
Recent Examples of Synonyms for generalization
  1. stereotype
  2. concept
  3. notion
  4. conception
  5. theory
Noun
  • Starting in the 1960s, at a time when women were largely limited to domestic roles, Steinem challenged gender stereotypes and championed feminist ideals like equality, sisterhood and reproductive freedom.
    — Juliana Kim, NPR, 3 Sep. 2026
  • While the stereotype says men hunt more than women, Holly has found the reverse is as often true among her friends.
    — Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of stereotype
Noun
  • While the concept was conceived decades ago, a public demonstration of a system that does not rely on GPS signals or any other special installation infrastructure has not been achieved till now.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The Fish Market is a seafood spot with a sea-to-table concept—guests can select their own seafood, which is then cooked with Maldivian flavors and ingredients.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of concept
Noun
  • Goodell pushed back on the notion of organized collusion to keep Kaepernick out of the NFL.
    — Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Thus all notions of reference to precedent in the arts became contentious, if not disreputable.
    — Mario Carpo, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of notion
Noun
  • The move would have been difficult to imagine under the traditional conception of college sports.
    — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • From one vantage, Kardashian’s path to global superstardom was borne by a perfect storm of time, place, person, and opportunity—a convergence of the smartphone, social media, reality TV, and the changing conception of what constitutes a celebrity.
    — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of conception
Noun
  • The lipstick index is an economic theory holding that sales of affordable discretionary spending or luxuries skyrocket when consumers believe an economic recession is impending.
    — Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Yet Turing’s theory of computation wasn’t really about computers, at least not at first.
    — Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of theory

Browse Nearby Words

generality
generalization
generalizations
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Generalization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/generalization. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on generalization

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about generalization

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

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
See More

Popular

See More

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

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All