generalize

[ jen-er-uh-lahyz ]

/ ˈdʒɛn ər əˌlaɪz /

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See synonyms for: generalize / generalized / generalizing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), gen·er·al·ized, gen·er·al·iz·ing.

to infer (a general principle, trend, etc.) from particular facts, statistics, or the like.

to infer or form (a general principle, opinion, conclusion, etc.) from only a few facts, examples, or the like.

to give a general rather than a specific or special character or form to.

to make general; bring into general use or knowledge.

verb (used without object), gen·er·al·ized, gen·er·al·iz·ing.

to form general principles, opinions, etc.

to deal, think, or speak in generalities.

to make general inferences.

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Also especially British, gen·er·al·ise .

Origin of generalize

First recorded in 1745–55; general + -ize

OTHER WORDS FROM generalize

gen·er·al·iz·a·ble, adjectivegen·er·al·iz·er, nounnon·gen·er·al·ized, adjectiveun·gen·er·al·ized, adjective

un·gen·er·al·iz·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use generalize in a sentence

I am generalizing — there are many things I loved at Storm King.
Sculpture parks are a great way to see art during a pandemic. Here’s why some are better than others.|Sebastian Smee|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
Notable among these was the concept of homology, which Poincaré introduced to generalize Riemann’s ideas to higher dimensions.
Topology 101: The Hole Truth|David S. Richeson|January 26, 2021|Quanta Magazine
Of course we mustn’t generalize about what “people” thought—there was as much disagreement and debate as there is today—but anyone who studied the question realized immediately that the earth was round.
The Idea of the 'Dark Ages' Is a Myth. Here's Why Medieval Scientific Progress Still Matters|Seb Falk|November 17, 2020|Time
Sometimes generalizing makes it easier to write things without lots of qualifiers or lists to explain the exact parameters.
Hagel And The "Gay-Equality Lobby"|Ali Gharib|January 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Perhaps that is warranted in this case, but there is peril in generalizing.
This Week’s Hot Reads: June 5, 2012|Nicholas Mancusi, Jimmy So|June 6, 2012|DAILY BEAST
All sciences face the “problem of induction” or uncertainties that arise in generalizing from observations.
David's Book Club: Uncontrolled|Kenneth Silber|May 12, 2012|DAILY BEAST
An illustration of the difficulty of generalizing when speaking of matters on the spirit-side just now occurs to me.
Beyond|Henry Seward Hubbard
Mr Burnet is fearful lest the authority of Sir Joshua should induce a habit of generalizing too much.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXVIII. February, 1843. Vol. LIII.|Various
It was the imagination and generalizing power of Karl Marx which brought these two movements into relationship.
The Outline of History: Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind|Herbert George Wells
These anecdotes exhibit but a slight exaggeration of the generalizing tendencies of many modern travellers.
How to Observe|Harriet Martineau
"This is as it should be," he said, with an air of generalizing.
A Virginia Cousin & Bar Harbor Tales|Mrs Burton Harrison

British Dictionary definitions for generalize

generalize

generalise

/ (ˈdʒɛnrəˌlaɪz) /

verb

to form (general principles or conclusions) from (detailed facts, experience, etc); infer

(intr) to think or speak in generalities, esp in a prejudiced way

(tr; usually passive) to cause to become widely used or known

(intr) (of a disease)

to spread throughout the body
to change from a localized infection or condition to a systemic onegeneralized infection

Derived forms of generalize

generalizer or generaliser, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

generalize

Origin of generalize

OTHER WORDS FROM generalize

Words related to generalize

How to use generalize in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for generalize

generalise

Derived forms of generalize