1
as in general
belonging or relating to the whole
the overall view seems to be that we're doing fine economically
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in broad
relating to the main elements and not to specific details
there's an overall similarity in the looks of the models for that chain of clothing stores
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in prevailing
held by or applicable to a majority of the people
the overall mind-set among the people in our town seems to be that any increase in taxes is bad
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in collectively
with everyone or everything taken into account at the same time
reduce the budget overall by 15 percent
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mostly
for the most part
overall, this is a good speech, but it could use a little humor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 overall
Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2026
But our model [late night] within that overall model has been very profitable for, like, 70 years, starting with Steve Allen.
—Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026
Cutter Martin, CBS News, 6 May 2026
As has been the case, job creation was concentrated in a few key categories, an indication that while hiring overall is solid, the benefits are not being spread out over sectors.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for overall
Adjective
While the overall structure stays the same from one company to another, each group gives it a different life.
—Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2026
But our model [late night] within that overall model has been very profitable for, like, 70 years, starting with Steve Allen.
—Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026
Adverb
Mother's Day Weekend, overall, is looking decent.
—Cutter Martin, CBS News, 6 May 2026
As has been the case, job creation was concentrated in a few key categories, an indication that while hiring overall is solid, the benefits are not being spread out over sectors.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for overall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overall
Adjective
-
Much like the demonstrations two decades ago, organizers on Friday also called for a general boycott — no school, no work, no shopping — in an effort to demand that the country put workers above billionaires by taxing the rich.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
-
The one issue for Banchero, and the Magic in general, was free-throw shooting.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
The race came amid a broader power struggle between the two sides of City Hall early in both Mamdani and Menin’s leadership, but the election will also have a more immediate impact.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The legislation passed with broad bipartisan support in the Senate, but some Republicans rejected the bill, opposing earmarking millions more to maintain the fortified Capitol and equip it with the staff necessary to keep the screenings going.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The group noted the projection was revised upward from an earlier estimate owing to an additional year in the budget window and higher prevailing interest rates.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Likewise, prevailing concepts of Hamlet at the time cast the prince as a wan and melancholic, leading critics to bristle at Bernhardt’s energy.—
Betsy Golden Kellem,
JSTOR Daily,
18 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
In the report’s telling, by September 2028, investors have collectively stopped wanting to buy American debt at prevailing yields.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Members, ages 83 to their 90s, have collectively read 252 books since 2001, with discussions that spark lively debate and often prompt vulnerable personal reflection.—
Maddie Connors,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Following those highs came a string of solid but unexciting records, which mostly stuck with Metric’s formula while adding the occasional left-field lyric about the Kool-Aid-drinking masses or confounding reference to QAnon.—
Ethan Beck,
Pitchfork,
4 May 2026
-
Used mostly during financial crises, the Fed gives dollars to another country's central bank and receives an equal amount of the foreign bank's currency in return.—
Steve Liesman,Matt Peterson,
CNBC,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
But the company is bracing itself for an avalanche of cheaper generic versions of its drug as the patent protecting its active ingredient, semaglutide, expires this year in several countries, including India and China.—
Anna Cooban,
CNN Money,
7 May 2026
-
The environments themselves often resemble generic fantasy soundstages, and at a point, every arena feels distinct yet meaningless.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
Cost of living, public safety and border security are hurting working families.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
In California, the effects of the breach rippled across the state’s largest public and private institutions within hours Thursday.—
Jaweed Kaleem,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
Adverb
-
The Sylvan Hills construction also reflects a new shift into real estate development for Habitat for Humanity, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year amid a growing crisis in affordable housing and a broadening political battle over affordability more generally.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 May 2026
-
What documentation to save Experts generally recommend keeping proof such as pharmacy receipts, bills from the doctor's office, HSA statements, and claims information of an explanation of benefits from your insurance provider.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overall. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
