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
Mike Hallquist to require an accessible family restroom with a universal changing station in the public market space.
—
Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 5 Sep. 2025
The lapels here appear crisp and fancy; the pockets, too, are a win and something that’s not universal to silk robes.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2025
From winning at Sundance and receiving universal critical acclaim to being year-end-listed by Barack Obama and landing an Oscar nom, Minding the Gap had a storybook run.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
December ennui is a universal experience, and this film makes no effort to hide the fact that we’re all destined to suffer from the Holiday Blues at one point or another.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for universal
Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 5 Sep. 2025
The lapels here appear crisp and fancy; the pockets, too, are a win and something that’s not universal to silk robes.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2025
From winning at Sundance and receiving universal critical acclaim to being year-end-listed by Barack Obama and landing an Oscar nom, Minding the Gap had a storybook run.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
December ennui is a universal experience, and this film makes no effort to hide the fact that we’re all destined to suffer from the Holiday Blues at one point or another.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for universal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for universal
Adjective
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This classic recipe is versatile enough for weeknight dinners or weekend potlucks.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
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Its versatile design keeps your look polished without the fuss.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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How Often To Clean Linoleum Floors For general cleaning, Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, recommends removing dust and debris in high-traffic areas daily using a dry microfiber mop.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
7 Sep. 2025
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Remember to label, date, and mark each soil sample with the general location where it was collected.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The hotel has partnered with San Antonio’s new Hospitality Academy to give comprehensive training to nearly all employees.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
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As more small businesses transition online and omnichannel selling becomes more prevalent, Shopify’s expanding ecosystem of payments, point-of-sale integrations, marketing tools, and applications positions it as a comprehensive commerce platform.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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That kind of overhaul would be the first dramatic redesign of Apple’s signature product since 2017, when Apple released the iPhone X, the first model without the familiar home button and with Apple’s now-ubiquitous Face ID technology.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
7 Sep. 2025
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Guthrie then attempted to explain her choices by comparing her haircut to Jennifer Aniston's iconic Friends haircut, which became ubiquitous during the hit show's run.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The company pointed out that the integration of laser systems on the lightweight, highly mobile ISV platform reflects a commitment to scalable, adaptable, and expeditionary force protection solutions.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Sep. 2025
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Samsung's success has shown that foldables are a functional evolution of mobile hardware—one that turns the phone into an adaptable tool able to transition from compact to expansive, depending on the task at hand.—
Mark Vena,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Tylenol, which is the brand name of the generic pain reliever acetaminophen, is widely used in the US, including during pregnancy.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
5 Sep. 2025
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Nah — not very long later, Tony is referencing his Bond obsession, complaining about the generic name of the secret drone-control computer program everyone is battling for here.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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And when the sun dips, 12th Knot takes over—a Gatsby-esque rooftop lounge pulsing with DJ sets, seasonal cocktails, and panoramic views that sweep from St Paul’s to Canary Wharf.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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The home and adjacent vacant lot total 250 feet of panoramic Gulf views.—
Jason Dill
September 5,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The largest ethnic group within that population is Burmese Muslims – known as Rohingya – who have been denied Burmese citizenship, faced widespread human rights abuses and, starting in 2016, genocide at the hands of the Burmese military.—
Sophie Carson,
jsonline.com,
4 Sep. 2025
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Several experts made mention of the latter point, telling Newsweek that graduates may be less of an exception than a sign of a widespread employment difficulties, which historically fall hardest on the newer entrants trying to get a foothold.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Universal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/universal. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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