universal

adjective

ˌyü-nə-ˈvər-səl How to pronounce universal (audio)
Definition of universalnext
1
as in versatile
able to do many different kinds of things a universal wrench

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in general
belonging or relating to the whole mankind's universal need for affection

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in comprehensive
covering everything or all important points the genius of Leonardo da Vinci was universal: he was an artist, an architect, an engineer, and a scientist, among other things

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in ubiquitous
present in all places and at all times after the home team won the national championship, throughout the city a sense of pride was as universal as the air

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of universal The result is not a collection built around one universal definition what’s next in denim, the exec said. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026 Evans has not yet seen the movie, which has earned universal acclaim and Oscar buzz since world premiering at the Telluride Film Festival last month. — Zack Sharf, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026 Gretchen Palek, head of alternative at Blumhouse Television, attributes the show’s success to the careful and sensitive approach to telling these terrifying experiences while highlighting real-life universal anxieties. — Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 The finding implies that methanol masers are a common product of all planet-forming discs and therefore are produced by processes that are universal in star- and planet-birth, regardless of the protostar's mass. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for universal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for universal
  1. versatile
  2. general
  3. comprehensive
  4. ubiquitous
  5. adaptable
  6. generic
  7. global
  8. widespread
Adjective
  • What resonated most with me was the return of large, versatile bags designed to accompany women throughout the day.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Shakur is considered one of the most influential and versatile rappers of all time and had a burgeoning film career as an actor at the time of his death.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of versatile
Adjective
  • There’s a distinction between general reasoning models, like LLMs, and the specialized AI biofoundation models like protein language models and protein structure prediction.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Prior to this, Asian artists largely had to compete in the best global music performance category or the broader general pop fields.
    — Jeff Benjamin, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of general
Adjective
  • As reported, Moncler reprised its Re/Icons project that celebrates archival pieces, first introduced in 2023, adding a comprehensive ready-to-wear collection — a first for the initiative.
    — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • But the regulator said none has fully acknowledged past debanking decisions or created a comprehensive program to remediate affected customers.
    — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of comprehensive
Adjective
  • Pork is ubiquitous, and rice nearly as much so, appearing in a gratin with zucchini, a soup with chicken and a fritter known as calas.
    — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 14 Oct. 2026
  • For one, Dean’s song has been ubiquitous for the better part of two years.
    — Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of ubiquitous
Adjective
  • Rather than simply copying that, but with a slab of batteries under the cabin, the Fiat Multiplay explores the idea of a vehicle that’s adaptable, transforming from a three-row people carrier to a pickup.
    — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Its adaptable architecture supports missions including tactical logistics, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, casualty evacuation, communications support and other mission-critical applications.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of adaptable
Adjective
  • And of course, when patents eventually expire, generic manufacturers can copy those discoveries and introduce them at much lower cost.
    — Dr. Bowman Heiden, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
  • For years, the city has primarily played the role of somewhere else — a cheaper Seattle, New York or generic American city.
    — Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of generic
Adjective
  • The executive, who was worked alongside three of Chanel’s four official creative directors, is the last of a generation of senior executives to remain in place, following the arrival in 2021 of Leena Nair as global chief executive officer of Chanel.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Their session will look at the state of the global film landscape and the outlook for theatrical and streaming distribution, along with ways to deepen cross-border partnerships.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of global
Adjective
  • Demonstrators expressed widespread frustration and anger at the government as gasoline, energy and food prices have spiked in recent months.
    — SYLVIE CORBET, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Beyond that, there's no firm timeline for when the system might be ready for widespread deployment.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of widespread

Browse Nearby Words

unity
universal
universally
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Universal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/universal. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on universal

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about universal

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