Meaning & use

generalize

verb·Advanced

Last updated

To form a broad conclusion or rule from specific examples or limited evidence.

See it in a sentence

It's risky to generalize about an entire generation based on a handful of interviews.

The study's small sample size makes it hard to generalize its findings to the wider population.

A note on using this word

In statistics and research, the ability to "generalize" results depends heavily on how representative the sample is of the larger group being studied.

Words with a similar meaning

extrapolatebroadenuniversalize

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

specifyparticularize

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “generalize”, then compare your use with the examples above.

Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.