Synonyms of at-largenext
: relating to or being a political representative who is elected to serve an entire area rather than one of its subdivisions
an at-large city councilor
an at-large election

at large

2 of 2

phrase

1
a
: free of restraint or confinement
the escaped prisoner is still at large
b
: without a specific subject or assignment
critic at large
2
: as a whole
society at large
3
: as the political representative of or to a whole area rather than of one of its subdivisions
—used in combination with a preceding noun
a congressman-at-large
4
: at length
5
: in a general way

Examples of at-large in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
Peltola, who represented Alaska's at-large district from 2022 to 2025, is challenging Sullivan, a two-term incumbent. — Matthew Choi The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026 The Twenty-seventh District has been referred to as the at-large seat of the Americas, and, increasingly, the matchup between Rodriguez and Salazar has taken on an international dimension. — Daniel Castro, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2026
Phrase
The rise of domestic designers in China comes at an exciting time for Asian fashion at large. — Ashley Ogawa Clarke, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2026 Illuminated themes Each of the aforementioned three stories explores questions of life, death, and the unknown—questions relevant to modern readers and the human condition at large. — Maria Papadouris, JSTOR Daily, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for at-large

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1962, in the meaning defined above

Phrase

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of at-large was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“At-large.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at-large. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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