universalistic

adjective

uni·​ver·​sal·​is·​tic ˌyü-nə-ˌvər-sə-ˈli-stik How to pronounce universalistic (audio)
: of or relating to the whole : universal in scope or nature

Examples of universalistic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The study participants consistently associated being calm, conscientious, universalistic, agreeable, warm, secure, traditional and conforming with being a good person, more than with being a cool person. Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 4 July 2025 Moreover, recent research has revealed that rural Americans have developed a sense of obligation that is more focused on local in-groups, in contrast with a more universalistic sense of moral obligation found among urban dwellers. Jonathan Rodden, Foreign Affairs, 20 Apr. 2020 One of the beauties of our tradition is that Judaism has nationalistic as well as universalistic dimensions. Rabbi Avi Weiss, sun-sentinel.com, 11 Nov. 2019 This sets up a key identity struggle between a universalistic notion of the Catholic Church and a yearning for a distinctive black identity. Emma Green, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2017 Prothero suggests that this universalistic model denies the deep reality of sectarian difference in belief, practice and outlook, and tends to be favored by those of liberal bent at ease with multiculturalism. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 28 Apr. 2010

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of universalistic was in 1872

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Cite this Entry

“Universalistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/universalistic. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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