adjective

synoptic

sih-NAHP-tik/sɪˈnɑːptɪk/

Offering a comprehensive overview.

The map gives a synoptic view of the island's mountains, river, village, and harbor.

A simple bird's-eye map shows whole island with mountain river village and harbor in one compact view, concise overall view, no labels.

Etymology

synGreektogether

+optGreeksight, appearance

+icLatinpertaining to

The underlying image is “seeing all at once.” Applied to tables, charts, or accounts, synoptic describes a presentation that lets the reader grasp a subject as a whole.

More examples

Her introduction offers a synoptic account of the debate.
This synoptic chart brings the major historical periods together.
A synoptic weather map shows conditions across the entire country.

Forms

synopsis noun — A brief summary of a larger work.

Similar words

comprehensive: Emphasizes covering every important detail, not just the overview.
panoramic: Suggests a sweeping view rather than a structured summary.