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

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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 The war defies generalization and does not fit into easy categories. Antony Beevor, Foreign Affairs, 7 May 2025 Comparison between palm trees and hardwood trees Comparison concerns only generalizations. Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 13 Apr. 2025 While such generalizations have historically been used to demonize enemies, there is still a contrived tendency to divide the world into land and sea powers. Colin Flint, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2025 Rather than jumping right in with accusations or sweeping generalizations, the goal is instead to frame your concerns in a way that prompts conversation—not combat. Mark Travers, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for generalization
Recent Examples of Synonyms for generalization
Noun
  • However, female flight attendants also faced considerable discrimination, as they were expected to conform to stereotypes around race and gender.
    H.M.A. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 6 June 2025
  • The punch of the stereotype derives from its resemblance to God’s honest truth.
    Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • The Philadelphia location opens in the next few weeks after a successful pop-up of the concept last summer.
    Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 9 June 2025
  • The book’s title is, of course, inspired by the goats that supply the milk that powers Beekman 1802’s microbiome-supporting products, and the overall concept of building a great, sustainable business.
    Emily Burns, Footwear News, 9 June 2025
Noun
  • The very notion of shared destiny and collective goals is fading.
    Sturla Henriksen, Time, 5 June 2025
  • Many of the pointed questions that Cruz Guerrero sought answers to in the text revolved around fatherhood, namely the elusive notion of work-life balance.
    Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • Introducing the film ahead of the screening, Serkis reflected on the project’s turbulent journey from conception to completion.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2025
  • Alas, Courtney’s conception of the film’s true dangerous animal is where the story truly runs aground.
    Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • But the people interviewed for this story float several theories.
    Tyler Hicks, Rolling Stone, 5 June 2025
  • As fear grew in 2023 over the failure to reach a deal on raising the debt ceiling, the White House was said to be considering an option of last resort: an untested legal theory that involves invoking the 14th Amendment.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 4 June 2025

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“Generalization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/generalization. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.

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