universalism

noun

uni·​ver·​sal·​ism ˌyü-nə-ˈvər-sə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce universalism (audio)
1
often capitalized
a
: a theological doctrine that all human beings will eventually be saved
b
: the principles and practices of a liberal Christian denomination founded in the 18th century originally to uphold belief in universal salvation and now united with Unitarianism
2
: something that is universal in scope
3
: the state of being universal : universality
universalist noun or adjective often capitalized

Examples of universalism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Because of poetry’s universalism, the philosopher continues, the passage of time enriches it rather than making it out of date. Robyn Creswell, The New York Review of Books, 7 Oct. 2021 Liberal states and activists must tone down their legalism, moralism, and universalism. Jack Snyder, Foreign Affairs, 21 July 2022 Their focus, post-Enlightenment, was on universalism and modernism, and moving out of the ghettos — literal and intellectual — into which Jews had been forced. Michelle Boorstein, Washington Post, 17 Dec. 2023 The results in places like Burundi, Iraq, and Rwanda were often short-lived and ultimately led to bloodshed. Avoiding the hard sell will require that liberal states and activists tone down their legalism, moralism, and universalism. Jack Snyder, Foreign Affairs, 21 July 2022 But this new theology of inclusion and universalism marked his downfall within the evangelical mainstream. Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 23 Nov. 2023 But universalism is an awkward framework for understanding what drove holy warriors to Bosnia in the first place. Darryl Li, Foreign Affairs, 14 Apr. 2020 Brustein’s universalism grew ornerier and more claustrophobic with age. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2023 These are people who reject universalism—the conviction that certain ideas and principles have a universal value that transcends nations, borders, bloodlines. Michael Tomasky, The New Republic, 13 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'universalism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1722, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of universalism was in 1722

Dictionary Entries Near universalism

Cite this Entry

“Universalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/universalism. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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