comprehensive
6 synonyms and 3 antonyms for comprehensive, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Covering something completely or including nearly all relevant parts.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use comprehensive
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Late Latin comprehensivus, from Latin comprehendere — see "comprehend."
Full origin of comprehensive →Frequently asked questions
What does “comprehensive” mean?
The word “comprehensive” means covering something completely or including nearly all relevant parts. In plain terms, thorough and complete, leaving little or nothing out.
How do you pronounce “comprehensive”?
“Comprehensive” is pronounced kom-prih-HEHN-sihv (/ˌkɑm.pɹəˈhɛn.sɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “comprehensive” in a sentence?
Here is “comprehensive” used in a sentence: “The report offers a comprehensive overview of the industry.”
What is the opposite of “comprehensive”?
The opposite of “comprehensive” — its antonyms — are incomprehensive, focused and limited.
What part of speech is “comprehensive”?
“Comprehensive” is an adjective.
Where does the word “comprehensive” come from?
The word “comprehensive” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin comprehensivus, from Latin comprehendere — see "comprehend.".
Is “comprehensive” a common word?
“Comprehensive” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between comprehensive and comprehensible?
"Comprehensive" means covering something completely or including nearly all relevant parts, as in "a comprehensive guide." "Comprehensible" means able to be understood. The two look similar but are not interchangeable: a comprehensive report is thorough, while a comprehensible report is easy to understand.
What is the difference between comprehensive and extensive?
"Comprehensive" stresses completeness — including nearly everything relevant — while "extensive" stresses size or range, meaning large in amount or area. An extensive study covers a lot of ground; a comprehensive study covers essentially all of it.
When should you use comprehensive instead of complete?
Use "comprehensive" for things like guides, surveys, reviews, and insurance policies, where the point is that nearly all relevant parts are included. "Complete" simply means nothing is missing, while "comprehensive" adds the sense of deliberately wide, thorough coverage.
What are common collocations with comprehensive?
Frequent pairings include "comprehensive guide," "comprehensive review," "comprehensive list," "comprehensive coverage," and "comprehensive insurance." In British English, "comprehensive school" refers to a state school that admits pupils of all abilities.