as a whole

Idioms  

1. All parts or aspects considered, altogether, as in I like the play as a whole, though the second act seemed somewhat slow. [Early 1800s] Also see on the whole.

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

as a whole

It is not clear how much energy AI systems use, but some researchers estimate the industry as a whole could soon consume as much as the Netherlands.

From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2026

One was systemic aging, which measures aging across the body as a whole.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 14, 2026

The legal industry as a whole hasn’t grown dramatically over the past decade, meaning the work has become more concentrated among a smaller group of elite firms that have largely opted for scale.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 12, 2026

“I believe that the positive change we have won will ripple out and help make the games industry as a whole a better place for workers and players alike.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026

While the country as a whole had endured a torturous depression during the early 1890s, Durham’s businesses were so solid that the town experienced merely a slowing down in its normally frantic activity.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

Related Words

• altogether