Covering a broad and meaningfully varied set of subjects, places, or effects.
Reach for it when praising breadth when the range is relevant rather than merely large
The review drew on wide-ranging evidence from farms, clinics, and transit agencies.
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| professional |
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| formal | |
| literary |
everyday
Fits when large scope should be stated simply
Careful Broad can be shallow or vague and does not show meaningful variety.
professional
Fits when near-complete coverage is genuinely supported
Careful Comprehensive is a stronger claim; wide-ranging can still leave important gaps.
professional
Fits when difference among sources or subjects matters
Careful Diverse describes variety but not how much territory is covered.
professional
extensive
Fits when scale or amount is the main fact
Careful Extensive material may repeat one type rather than range across different areas.
professional
Fits when several academic or professional fields are actually represented
Careful Multidisciplinary is narrower and should not be claimed from ordinary topic variety.
formal
far-reaching
Fits when effects extend broadly into the future or across systems
Careful Far-reaching concerns consequences more naturally than subject coverage.
formal
sweeping
Fits when broad extent is dramatic or potentially excessive
Careful Sweeping can criticize overgeneralization and is not safe praise for careful coverage.
literary
Fits when selections come from unusually varied styles or sources
Careful Eclectic can feel arbitrary and does not guarantee coherent breadth.
wide-ranging review
The wide-ranging review still named the two regions it could not assess.
wide-ranging discussion
A wide-ranging discussion connected housing, transport, and public health.
wide-ranging effects
The new timetable had wide-ranging effects on work and childcare.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated
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