nonspecific
adjective
non·spe·cif·ic
ˌnän-spi-ˈsi-fik 
: not specific: such as
a
: lacking in detail or particulars
nonspecific answers
a nonspecific description
b
: not caused by a specific or identified agent
nonspecific enteritis
c
: not restricted to a particular category, situation, or group
nonspecific flu-like symptoms
d
: not affecting a particular region or part
nonspecific pain
e
: having a general purpose, effect, or action : lacking in specificity
nonspecific antiviral agents
nonspecific irritants
nonspecifically
adverb
After a toxic protein is released into the bloodstream, it is taken up by macrophages, cells that nonspecifically scavenge and ingest various substances.
—
Harald von Boehmer and Pawel Kisielow
Harald von Boehmer and Pawel Kisielow
Examples of nonspecific in a Sentence
his criticism of the picture is fairly nonspecific, but he clearly doesn't like it
Recent Examples on the Web
Second, zeroing in on a diagnosis can be a process of trial and error since symptoms can be so varied and nonspecific (think: abdominal pain, fatigue).
—Health, 5 Mar. 2025
When to See a Healthcare Provider Hypogonadism can cause symptoms that are nonspecific, meaning they could be caused by and easily attributed to other conditions, including aging.
—James Myhre & Dennis Sifris, Md, Verywell Health, 27 Feb. 2025
Trump recently threatened nonspecific tariffs against the European Union if the trade bloc didn’t step up U.S. oil and gas imports.
—Dearbea Walker, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
Each country offered nonspecific proposals devoid of the numerical targets that are usually present in G–20 action plans, and each tended to focus on domestic policies.
—Rebecca Liao, Foreign Affairs, 17 July 2017
See All Example Sentences for nonspecific
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Health, 5 Mar. 2025
When to See a Healthcare Provider Hypogonadism can cause symptoms that are nonspecific, meaning they could be caused by and easily attributed to other conditions, including aging.
—James Myhre & Dennis Sifris, Md, Verywell Health, 27 Feb. 2025
Trump recently threatened nonspecific tariffs against the European Union if the trade bloc didn’t step up U.S. oil and gas imports.
—Dearbea Walker, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
Each country offered nonspecific proposals devoid of the numerical targets that are usually present in G–20 action plans, and each tended to focus on domestic policies.
—Rebecca Liao, Foreign Affairs, 17 July 2017
See All Example Sentences for nonspecific
Cite this Entry
“Nonspecific.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonspecific. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
nonspecific
adjective
non·spe·cif·ic
-spi-ˈsif-ik
: not specific: as
a
: not caused by a specific or identified agent
nonspecific enteritis
b
: not restricted to a particular category, situation, or group
nonspecific flu-like symptoms
c
: not affecting a particular region or part
nonspecific pain
d
: having a general purpose, effect, or action
nonspecific antiviral agents
nonspecific irritants
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