overarching

USAGE SUMMARY

"overarching" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective which means "embracing or encompassing many other elements". Example sentence: "The overarching goal of the company is to improve customer service."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Radical, far-reaching work produced by his policy review was ready to be taken up, he now says, but was left to gather dust by those around Miliband, who opted instead for their minimalist, safety-first offer, and a few "free money bribes" such as the energy price freeze, which failed to add up to a convincing, overarching national story.

The Guardian

But the main thing that Blair is doing, I believe, is trying to establish a big overarching argument.

The Guardian - Opinion

It found that spending on birth control is six times as effective, as a means of reducing carbon emissions, as spending on renewable energy.That kind of broad, overarching conclusion sounds suspect: the devil is clearly in the details.

The Economist

Broad, overarching legislation such as Asimov's three laws is likely to fail, says Andrea Bertolini, of the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, in Pisa, Italy, which led the RoboLaw group.

The Economist

However, according to another law, C, P and T symmetries, when lumped together into a single, overarching CPT symmetry, must be conserved.

The Economist

Mr Miller will report directly to Don Logan, the former boss of the Time Inc publishing group, who was elevated last month to run one of the two new overarching divisions at AOL Time Warner under Richard Parsons, its chief executive.While Steve Case, AOL's founder and former boss, remains group chairman, the two newcomers to the AOL division will be in charge.

The Economist

There are lots of things that are important and that I love about Eyewitness but the overarching rule is to have lots of detail, and lots to look at, and to be able to exhibit some of my images on an even larger scale is a great opportunity".

The Guardian

Corporate universities have two distinguishing features: the first is a dedicated facility, whether built of bricks or housed online; the second is a curriculum tailored to the company's overarching strategy.This latter trait gives the best clue as to why they have become so popular.

The Economist

All MBA students must now study two of three "overarching megatrends that will change the world".

The Economist

Yet absent, still, from Mr Kerry's economic thinking is any sense of an overarching, unifying theme.

The Economist

But it insists there is no overarching failing of management or corporate culture.In this section Setting up shop in India Hot on the press Beyond coincidence Big deal?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing strategies, use "overarching" to demonstrate that all the individual parts fit under one single, unified system or aim.

Common error

Avoid using "overarching" when a simple summary or general description is sufficient. This word implies a level of strategic importance and broad application that is not always present.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "overarching" primarily functions to modify nouns, indicating that the noun represents something that encompasses or dominates other elements. As stated by Ludwig AI, the word is usable and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

14%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overarching" is a grammatically sound adjective that effectively describes something as comprehensive or all-encompassing. As Ludwig AI confirms, this word is both correct and appropriate for use in a variety of contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Formal & Business settings, it emphasizes a broad and unifying aspect. When using "overarching", make sure to consider contexts where a simpler summary won't be enough. Related phrases include "comprehensive" and "all-encompassing", offering alternative ways to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

All-encompassing

This alternative highlights the inclusion of everything relevant.

Encompassing

This alternative stresses the inclusion of many things.

Comprehensive

This alternative emphasizes completeness and broad coverage.

Inclusive

This term emphasizes the broad inclusion of various elements.

Overriding

This alternative stresses the importance and dominance of a factor.

Principal

This alternative emphasizes the primary or most important element.

Predominant

This term focuses on the main or most frequent aspect.

Dominant

This alternative highlights the controlling or prevailing aspect.

Central

This term focuses on the core or most important part.

Umbrella

This alternative suggests a broad protective or inclusive scope.

FAQs

How can I use "overarching" in a sentence?

You can use "overarching" to describe a primary theme, goal, or principle that encompasses many aspects. For example, "The "overarching goal" of the project is to improve efficiency."

What are some alternatives to the word "overarching"?

Alternatives include "comprehensive", "all-encompassing", or "principal" depending on the specific context.

Is "overarching" a formal word?

"Overarching" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is often found in professional or academic writing due to its precise and descriptive nature.

What's the difference between "overarching" and "overall"?

"Overarching" implies a higher-level, encompassing nature that governs various elements, while "overall" simply refers to a general or comprehensive view. The term "overarching" describes the system, plan, or goal while "overall" is simply a summary.