Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Including or covering everything; comprehensive: Describes something that encompasses all aspects, elements, or groups within its scope.
   • Extensive in range or content: Refers to something that is very wide-ranging and leaves little or nothing out.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The book offers an all-embracing history of the region.
  • We need an all-embracing policy that addresses the needs of all citizens.
  • Her all-embracing love for humanity was truly inspiring.

Advanced Usage

• "All-embracing" is often used in formal or academic contexts to describe theories, definitions, policies, or studies that aim to be total or universal in their coverage.
  • The philosopher sought an all-embracing theory of knowledge.
• It can imply a positive sense of inclusivity or a negative sense of being overly broad and lacking specificity.
  • The critic dismissed the report as vague and all-embracing, lacking concrete proposals.

Variants and Related Words

• Comprehensive (adj): Complete and including everything that is necessary.
  • a comprehensive guide
• Inclusive (adj): Including all the services or items normally expected or required.
  • an inclusive price
• Panoptic (adj): Including or viewing everything; presenting a comprehensive view.
  • a panoptic survey
• Across-the-board (adj): Applying to all.
  • an across-the-board tax cut
• Blanket (adj): Covering all cases or instances; total.
  • a blanket ban

Synonyms

• Comprehensive
• Inclusive
• Extensive
• Sweeping
• Universal
• Encompassing

Antonyms

• Limited
• Restricted
• Exclusive
• Narrow
• Partial
• Specific

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Leave no stone unturned: To do everything possible to find something or to solve a problem. This idiom conveys a similar sense of thoroughness but is focused on effort, while "all-embracing" describes scope.
  • The investigation was all-embracing, leaving no stone unturned.

Adjective

1. broad in scope or content
   • across-the-board pay increases
   • an all-embracing definition
   • blanket sanctions against human-rights violators
   • an invention with broad applications
   • a panoptic study of Soviet nationality- T.G.Winner
   • granted him wide powers