encompassing
Including everything or covering all aspects
Examples
In a meeting
“We need a more encompassing strategy that addresses all departments.”
Over coffee
“Her knowledge of gardening is encompassing—she knows everything about plants.”
Why this word
including
encompassing suggests surrounding and fully containing all elements, while including just adds items to a list
comprehensive
encompassing emphasizes encircling and containing scope, while comprehensive focuses on completeness
covering
encompassing implies complete enclosure of all aspects, while covering suggests surface treatment
Usage tip
Use to describe something thorough and complete, covering all relevant areas
Etymology
Old French: encompasser (en- 'in' + compasser 'measure, go around')
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