broad-brush

Lacking fine detail

Broad-brush describes something done in general terms without attention to fine details or nuances: a broad-brush approach to policy, broad-brush strokes of history.

The image is of a painter covering large areas quickly rather than working with precision.

Often carries a hint of criticism—that important distinctions are being glossed over.

approach

overview

Broad general summary

big-picture · gestalt · macroscopic · strategic · holistic · bird's-eye · thumbnail · rough · impressionistic · approximation

imprecision

vague

Unclear, ill-defined

hazy · blurry · indistinct · unspecific · loose · inexact · rough-hewn · coarse · unrefined · undetailed

scope

sweeping

Extensive and far-reaching

extensive · blanket · umbrella · across-the-board · wholesale · panoramic · expansive · global · universal · overarching

generalization

stereotype

Fixed oversimplified notion

homogenize · typecast · categorize · pigeonhole · essentialize · universalize · extrapolate · blur · average · shortcut

Categories
Opposites
level of detail

broad-brushdetailed

Full of specifics

fine-grained · granular · specific · in-depth · nuanced

care and precision

broad-brushmeticulous

Showing extreme attention to detail

painstaking · precise · careful · exacting · rigorous

Family

brush, broad, broadcast, broaden, brushing, brushed, brushes, broadening, breadth

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G