nonspecific
Lacking clear definition
Nonspecific describes something that lacks precise definition, clear boundaries, or particular distinguishing features.
A nonspecific complaint or symptom doesn't point to any single cause: The patient presented with nonspecific abdominal pain.
Nonspecific instructions leave room for interpretation, which may be intentional vagueness or simply imprecision.
In medicine and science, nonspecific often indicates that a test, treatment, or response isn't targeted to one particular condition or agent.
Not brand-name
- universalAffecting all equally
- broadWide in span
- sweepingExtensive and far-reaching
- comprehensiveIncluding all elements
blanket · umbrella · overall · inclusive · widespread · common · standard · typical
Not firmly known
- undeterminedNot yet established
- open-endedLacking fixed boundaries
- unsettledNot yet resolved
- unresolvedLacking final determination
unknown · unspecified · pending · inconclusive · equivocal · ambivalent · uncommitted · undecided
Not easily understood
- impreciseLacking exactness or accuracy
- nebulousUnclear and formless
- fuzzySoft and unclear
- hazyUnclear, indistinct
indefinite · ambiguous · cloudy · murky · blurry · ill-defined · woolly · indistinct
Affecting an entire structure
- diffuseSpread thinly throughout
- generalizedMade widely applicable
- widespreadExisting across many places
- constitutionalHealth-promoting walk
multifocal · symptomatic · prodromal · subclinical · atypical · referred · radiating · migratory
generic
Not brand-name
comprehensive · blanket · umbrella · overall · inclusive · widespread · common · standard · typical · general
uncertain
Not firmly known
- undeterminedNot yet established
- open-endedLacking fixed boundaries
- unsettledNot yet resolved
unresolved · unknown · unspecified · pending · inconclusive · equivocal · ambivalent · uncommitted · undecided · tentative
unclear
Not easily understood
hazy · indefinite · ambiguous · cloudy · murky · blurry · ill-defined · woolly · indistinct · amorphous
systemic
Affecting an entire structure
- diffuseSpread thinly throughout
- generalizedMade widely applicable
- widespreadExisting across many places
constitutional · multifocal · symptomatic · prodromal · subclinical · atypical · referred · radiating · migratory
- "Non-" wordsnonprofit, nonfiction, nonstop, nonsense, nonfat
- catch-allscatch-all, miscellaneous, miscellany, grab bag, hodgepodge
nonspecificspecific
Clearly defined, not vague
precise · exact · particular · definite · explicit
nonspecificparticular
Specific or fussy
specific · individual · identified · defined · designated
specific, species, specify, specified, specifically, specialize, specialized, specification, specifying