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Glite Dictionary
in a broad way

in a broad way

4.2
In a general way without details
  • idiom
translation icon : de manera general
  • So what I wonder is what it was in his reality experience that led him to develop a religious sense—and I mean in a broad way—not specifically one "religion" over another.

But I'm curious, you know, as we as we sort of reach the try to reach the end of this interview and and think about this in a broader way.

Examples

  • This shift corresponds, in a broad way, to the advent of the market economy, with sharply new delineations seeming to occur when a period of economic abundance is followed by one of sharp contraction.

    Academic text (1992)

  • When discussing education, we should consider the topic in a broad way to encompass various perspectives.

  • The idea of product should be understood in a broad way.

    Academic text (2006)

  • But philosophy tries to talk in a broader way, which makes it much, much more useless until you know how to apply it.

  • I would argue that in the context of the style of literature, this "who" should be interpreted in a broad way.

    Academic text (2004)

  • The project was designed in a broad way to benefit many different communities.

  • The guidelines should be interpreted in a broad way to allow flexibility in implementation.

Synonyms

at large
vsin a broad way
84 3.7

In a general way without giving details

is a general statement not specifically about groups or the public
broadly
vsin a broad way
73 3.5

In a general way without considering small details

is a longer adverbial phrase instead of the brief adverb form
on the whole
vsin a broad way
33 3.3

In general, something is true when you think about everything

is a plain general comment that does not imply full summary or review
holistically
vsin a broad way
4 5.4

Looking at all parts together

focuses on overall non detailed manner rather than studying every part
generically
vsin a broad way
3 4.2

In a general way without giving specific details

is a general description that focuses on manner rather than examples
broadly speaking
vsin a broad way
1 3.7

To say something is true in general

is used as a simple adverbial phrase rather than a spoken comment marker
sweepingly
vsin a broad way
1 7.4

In a broad way that affects many people or things

is more neutral and states generality without strong generalizing force
nonspecifically
vsin a broad way
7.2

In a general way not aimed at a single thing

is about general manner and not focused on particular details or categories

Antonyms

specific
∞ 3.9

Clearly defined and exact for a particular thing or person

narrowly
68 4.1

In a strict, limited way that allows few exceptions

How Specific

in detail
77 3.1
specifically
950 3.2
in a broad way
4.2
generally
∞ 1.0
vaguely
115 3.9

Surface Forms

in a broad way positive
broader comparative
broadest superlative

Morphology

in + a + broad + way

The phrase meaning 'in a general or non-specific manner' is directly and predictably composed from 'in' + 'a' + 'broad' + 'way' because 'broad' modifies 'way' to indicate a wide/general manner and the prepositional frame is standard. This compositional pattern is cross-linguistically common and follows basic English grammar, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

In a broad way comes from the image of someone painting with a large brush and making wide, simple strokes called broad strokes rather than small, careful lines. That's why the phrase means 'in a general way' or 'not focusing on details'.