Meaning & use

overarching

adjective·Academic

Including or influencing everything within a particular area; most important or comprehensive.

See it in a sentence

The overarching goal of the project is to reduce waste company-wide.

Despite many smaller conflicts, an overarching theme of hope ran through the novel.

A note on using this word

Overarching describes a broad idea or goal that connects or governs many smaller parts, often paired with 'goal', 'theme', or 'principle'.

Words with a similar meaning

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Words with an opposite meaning

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