covers absolutely everything from top to bottom

comprehensive

adjective|/ˌkɒm.prɪˈhɛn.sɪv/

Complete and including everything that is necessary; thorough.

Examples

In a meeting

We need a comprehensive audit of all third-party integrations.

Over coffee

The guidebook was comprehensive — it covered every neighborhood in the city.

Why this word

complete

comprehensive emphasizes including all relevant aspects, while complete means having all parts

thorough

comprehensive stresses breadth of coverage, while thorough emphasizes depth and care

extensive

comprehensive implies systematic inclusion of all elements, while extensive emphasizes large scope

Usage tip

Implies nothing is left out. A comprehensive review misses nothing. Stronger than 'thorough' in suggesting completeness.

Etymology

Latin comprehensivus — com (together) + prehendere (to seize, grasp), literally 'grasping everything together'

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