Definition

Noun: 1. The quality or state of being large in area, scope, or range: Refers to the condition of covering a wide physical space or a broad subject matter. 2. The quality of being comprehensive or inclusive: Refers to the condition of including or dealing with a wide variety of items, details, or aspects.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • The extensiveness of the forest made it easy to get lost. (The large area covered by the forest made it easy to get lost.)
  • The report was praised for the extensiveness of its research. (The report was praised because its research was very comprehensive and covered many details.)
  • The extensiveness of her knowledge on the topic impressed the professors. (The broad scope of her knowledge on the topic impressed the professors.)

Advanced Usage

• "The very extensiveness of...": This phrase is used to emphasize that the large scale or broad scope of something is itself a significant factor.
  • The very extensiveness of the data set makes analysis challenging. (The fact that the data set is so large and comprehensive is what makes analysis challenging.)
  • The very extensiveness of his power was a temptation to abuse it. (The broad scope of his authority itself created a temptation to misuse it.)

Variants and Related Words

• Extensive (adj): covering a large area; having a wide range or scope.
  • They conducted an extensive survey.
• Extend (v): to cause to cover a larger area; to make longer or wider.
  • They plan to extend the road.
• Extension (n): the action of extending; a part that is added to something to enlarge or prolong it.
  • They built an extension on the house.

Synonyms

• Vastness: great size or extent.
• Comprehensiveness: the quality of including all or nearly all elements or aspects of something.
• Scope: the extent of the area or subject matter that something deals with or to which it is relevant.
• Breadth: wide range or extent.

Antonyms

• Limitedness: the quality of being restricted within certain limits.
• Narrowness: limited extent, amount, or scope.
• Incomprehensiveness: the quality of not being comprehensive; lacking breadth.

Noun

1. large or extensive in breadth or importance or comprehensiveness
   • the might have repercussions of unimaginable largeness
   • the very extensiveness of his power was a temptation to abuse it