on the whole

Idioms  

1. Considering everything, as in On the whole we enjoyed our vacation, although the hotel was not perfect by any means. [Late 1600s] Also see the synonyms by and large; for the most part.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

on the whole

Reddit on the whole encourages brands to play in the Reddit sandbox so long as they arrive with utility, humility and respect, Collins said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

It reduces the impact on the whole NHS, but just as importantly has better outcomes for patients.

From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026

Yet it’s a straightforward narrative on the whole — all text, no subtext.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026

“The gap between these two figures suggests IPO investors are, on the whole, expressing a healthy wariness toward newly public companies, with a handful of standout winners accounting for most of the gains,” said Rabe.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 9, 2026

“I thank you, but all that you mention is nothing to me; on the whole earth there is no comfort which I am capable of receiving.”

From "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley

Related Words

• commonly
• consistently
• customarily
• frequently
• generally
• mostly
• naturally
• normally
• occasionally
• often
• ordinarily
• regularly
• routinely
• sometimes