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
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Recent Examples of universal
New Mexico produces more oil than any other state besides Texas, and the state's revenue from taxes, royalties and lease sales helps cover the cost of college tuition, all school meals, health insurance and a new initiative for free universal child care.
—
ABC News, 14 May 2026
There’s no universal rule, but many financial professionals suggest keeping precious metals as a modest portion of a diversified portfolio rather than concentrating heavily in gold alone.
—Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 14 May 2026
Diego Luna had both personal motivations and more universal ones that drove him to make Ashes, his fifth feature as director.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026
What To Watch For The full New York state budget has yet to be approved as Hochul has said agreements have been made on key matters including funding for universal child care, rising energy costs and infrastructure.
—Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for universal
ABC News, 14 May 2026
There’s no universal rule, but many financial professionals suggest keeping precious metals as a modest portion of a diversified portfolio rather than concentrating heavily in gold alone.
—Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 14 May 2026
Diego Luna had both personal motivations and more universal ones that drove him to make Ashes, his fifth feature as director.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026
What To Watch For The full New York state budget has yet to be approved as Hochul has said agreements have been made on key matters including funding for universal child care, rising energy costs and infrastructure.
—Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for universal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for universal
Adjective
-
Chic, versatile and cozy for every adventure.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 May 2026
-
Its flowy maxi style is versatile and can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
The Fields pairs highly adaptable facilities with expert, hands-on production support — a combination that general manager RoseMary Prodonovich says is designed to fuel creative endeavors.—
Kathy A. McDonald,
Variety,
15 May 2026
-
Husband is a genuinely excellent partner and a kind, funny, good person in general.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
Decades of fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan has stopped, but unresolved disputes remain, and neither side has signed a formal, comprehensive peace treaty.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
-
The city still doesn’t have comprehensive recommendations on data center regulations.—
TERRY ROUECHE,
Charlotte Observer,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
But Araki has shaded in the margins masterfully, with vivid supporting turns by Chase Sui Wonders, Daveed Diggs and the now-ubiquitous Charli XCX.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
-
The once ubiquitous Bed Bath & Beyond, with its blue coupon mailers and newspaper inserts, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2023, and shuttered stores nationwide.—
Howard Cohen
May 14,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
The participation underscores a growing emphasis on connecting local publishing with global production pipelines, positioning literary properties as adaptable assets within co-production and financing frameworks.—
Lin Ying-Hsuan,
Variety,
12 May 2026
-
Low-maintenance and adaptable dogwood trees can be beautiful home landscape additions, especially when the flowering varieties are in bloom.—
Gemma Johnstone,
The Spruce,
11 May 2026
Adjective
-
Rather than prescribing a generic gym split, Jimenez’s programming prioritized cardiovascular efficiency, resistance training, stability, and mobility.—
Justin Fenner,
Robb Report,
14 May 2026
-
India and Canada recently approved their first generic versions of Ozempic, and countries including China, Brazil and South Africa are expected to soon follow, according to Robin Feldman, a pharmaceutical and intellectual property law expert at the University of California Law San Francisco.—
Berkeley Lovelace Jr,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
The strait’s closure has stranded tankers and caused energy prices to spike, threatening global economic growth.—
Will Weissert,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
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As the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel, Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse, offering both inspiration and vital intel.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
While OpenAI was created as a nonprofit designed to responsibly harness the power of the emerging artificial intelligence technology, the company created a for-profit subsidiary in 2019 and three years later released ChatGPT, which jumpstarted widespread adoption of the technology.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
-
There was widespread fear of measles causing blindness, which had indeed happened to a young family acquaintance.—
Fran Moreland Johns,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Universal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/universal. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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