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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Unlike his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, whose near-universal popularity defined an era, Charles has had a more uneven public reception over decades as heir and since his ascension to the throne in 2022.
—
Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026
New Mexico and New York are actively working to provide universal child care for their residents.
—Pamela Campos, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
The top issues on Villegas’ website are Medicare for all, universal childcare and family leave, as well as holding corporate polluters accountable and ending corporate ownership of single-family homes.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Again, although its proponents would disagree, if the relation is not universal, there’s no reason to think it can be applied to a system like the Bullet Cluster to explain what’s observed.
—Big Think, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for universal
Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026
New Mexico and New York are actively working to provide universal child care for their residents.
—Pamela Campos, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
The top issues on Villegas’ website are Medicare for all, universal childcare and family leave, as well as holding corporate polluters accountable and ending corporate ownership of single-family homes.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Again, although its proponents would disagree, if the relation is not universal, there’s no reason to think it can be applied to a system like the Bullet Cluster to explain what’s observed.
—Big Think, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for universal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for universal
Adjective
-
The indigo colorway is deep and versatile enough to go from the golf course to dinner without a change of scene.—
Amanda Eyre Ward,
Travel + Leisure,
2 May 2026
-
The gyuto was born when Western culinary influences became de rigeur, and chefs needed a more versatile blade shape, adept at push cuts and pull-through slicing, with a slight curve that allowed some light chopping.—
Jesse Raub,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Much like the demonstrations two decades ago, organizers on Friday also called for a general boycott — no school, no work, no shopping — in an effort to demand that the country put workers above billionaires by taxing the rich.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
-
The one issue for Banchero, and the Magic in general, was free-throw shooting.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Interceptor drones as part of a comprehensive air defense system are now being sought by Middle East and Gulf countries amid the Iran war, according to Ukrainian officials.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
With overwhelming bipartisan support, Indiana enacted one of the most comprehensive state-level national security laws in the country.—
Joe Gebbia Sr,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
With the tank now ubiquitous on the battlefield, WWII would see countless tank battles, including the greatest tank battle of all.—
Matthew S Williams,
Interesting Engineering,
7 May 2026
-
Among the suit’s contention is that her own site and posts have been pushed down in search results by Swift’s ubiquitous branding.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Ubiquitous yet endlessly adaptable, the money plant integrates effortlessly into indoor settings while contributing to gentle transpiration.—
Nolan Lewis,
Architectural Digest,
27 Apr. 2026
-
However, deer are adaptable creatures and often get used to the tricks put in their path, eventually ignoring attempts to deter them, Walke says.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But the company is bracing itself for an avalanche of cheaper generic versions of its drug as the patent protecting its active ingredient, semaglutide, expires this year in several countries, including India and China.—
Anna Cooban,
CNN Money,
7 May 2026
-
The environments themselves often resemble generic fantasy soundstages, and at a point, every arena feels distinct yet meaningless.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
Rodent sightings on cruise ships is relatively rare, according to Walt Nadolny, professor emeritus of marine transportation and global business at the State University of New York Maritime College, and a former environmental officer for Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
-
Plus, with carbon pricing now covering 28 percent of global emissions, the industry faces growing exposure to a new layer of fiscal jeopardy, threatening the viability of traditional low-cost production models.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
In the greater public, a dangerous, inchoate rage directed at Barack Obama persists alongside the widespread affection for him.—
Peter Slevin,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
But activists say abuses are still widespread and that workers have few avenues to pursue justice.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Universal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/universal. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
