Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

broad-brush

American  
[brawd-bruhsh] / ˈbrɔdˌbrʌʃ /

adjective

  1. characterized by sweeping comprehensiveness with little attention to details.

    a broad-brush approach to reform.


Etymology

Origin of broad-brush

First recorded in 1965–70


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Digital rights defenders caution against broad-brush measures, and call for a "safety-by-design" approach where the EU demands certain features are removed.

From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026

The lenders' trade body has argued that these conclusions were too broad-brush, and compensation could be too generous.

From BBC ● Mar. 29, 2026

The broad-brush picture is known: About 60 million years ago, the Indian Plate began to plow into Eurasia and thrust up the Himalayas, the highest mountains on Earth.

From Science Magazine ● Nov. 17, 2024

“The detail that will be revealed, this beautiful complexity that’s gonna show up—that will fine tune our ability to go from broad-brush histories of the solar system” to something more measured and precise, says Bannister.

From National Geographic ● Jan. 9, 2024

Ms. Witbooi’s experience seemed to illustrate both the broad-brush oppression and the finer shadings of daily life under apartheid.

From New York Times ● Jan. 25, 2023

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training