generalizations

noun

plural of generalization
as in notions
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 generalizations Most leaders can’t afford to wait weeks for insights that could inform their next move, and can revert to relying on generalizations to guide them as a result. — Alex Cooper, Fortune, 16 May 2026 There’s a false perception in pop music that the best way to connect with the masses is to keep things broad — that vague generalizations are easier for people to latch onto. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 2 May 2026 If there are any generalizations to be made about how different areas raise different types of players, Latson is qualified to make them. — Rebecca Shore Winn, Southern Living, 18 Feb. 2026 Teenagers are tested on more advanced skills, such as making generalizations from a reading passage and comparing information from charts and graphs. — ABC News, 10 June 2026 Brousson is an Austin resident and often posts satirical videos teasing Texas cliches and generalizations. — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 June 2026 Of course, if the AI does generalize, the difficulty is that the AI generalizations about mental health might be off base. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026 Those decisions remain governed by statute and must be based on individualized assessments, not generalizations. — Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026 Parachute Journalism Parachute journalism refers to the practice of briefly visiting a location, observing limited aspects of it, and subsequently producing articles that may rely on broad generalizations about the destination. — Suzanne Dundas, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for generalizations
  1. notions
  2. stereotypes
  3. concepts
  4. conceptions
Noun
  • Similar to the original film, Elle learns to leave behind some of the preconceived notions that her rich upbringing gave her and embrace authenticity.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 2026
  • Enlightenment figures, such as John Locke, also advanced notions of separation of church and state.
    — Steven K. Green, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
Definition of notions
Noun
  • As Barthel and other cannabis scholars say, the federal and state government crackdowns over the past century fueled the negative stereotypes and were always more grounded in culture wars than in evidence of medical harm.
    — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 6 July 2026
  • The supporting cast is comfortable in the age-old stereotypes thrust upon them and eager to place their own stamps on the roles.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2026
Definition of stereotypes
Noun
  • The top floors, 19 and 20, are dedicated to four additional dining concepts.
    — Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
  • There are also new concepts at the AquaDome Market food hall, including Seoulmate – get the bulgogi bowl with marinated beef – and a new Chief Dog Officer named Skipper.
    — Nathan Diller, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Definition of concepts
Noun
  • The thread of citizen rights and responsibilities weaves through each of these, uniting evolving conceptions of freedom, self-government, and individual achievement from the nation’s past through to its present.
    — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 4 July 2026
  • Thus, the cisgendered body and heterosexuality are a dynamic instead of a foundation to our conceptions of Black motherhood.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
Definition of conceptions

Browse Nearby Words

generalization
generalizations
generalized
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Cite this Entry

“Generalizations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/generalizations. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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