Words of Positivity
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Broad-gauge

adj.thoughtful, kindformal

What it means

Open-minded and willing to consider a wide range of interests or ideas.

Reach for it when praising generous breadth in judgment or policy

Her broad-gauge leadership invited evidence from every department.

Choose between these

6
  • everyday

    open-minded

    willingness to reconsider views is the simple point

    not when Open-minded may concern one question rather than a consistently broad outlook.

  • warm

    broad-minded

    openness toward unfamiliar beliefs or ways of life is central

    not when Broad-minded focuses tolerance more than range of policy judgment.

  • professional

    comprehensive

    many relevant factors are included in analysis or policy

    not when Comprehensive describes coverage, not personal receptiveness.

  • professional

    liberal

    openness and generosity in attitude fit the intended tradition

    not when Liberal carries strong political meanings that can eclipse the praise.

  • formal

    expansive

    scope and imagination extend across a wide field

    not when Expansive can describe size or an overly talkative mood.

  • formal

    far-reaching

    effects or scope extend well beyond the immediate issue

    not when Far-reaching does not imply openness or fair consideration.

Said against

3
  • narrow-minded
  • parochial
  • blinkered

It naturally appears in

3
  • broad-gauge outlook

    A broad-gauge outlook helped the board connect health with transport.

  • broad-gauge policy

    The broad-gauge policy considered tenants, owners, and future residents.

  • broad-gauge leader

    A broad-gauge leader can hold a clear principle without narrowing the evidence.

Usage notes

Broad-gauge is uncommon in this figurative sense and may be confused with railway track width.