universal

adjective

ˌyü-nə-ˈvər-səl How to pronounce universal (audio)
Definition of universalnext
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 Technology faces multiple barriers V2G projects face hurdles including up-front costs and a lack of universal V2G technology. — Lisa Baertlein, USA Today, 6 July 2026 China has moved to near-universal duty-free, quota-free access for African exports. — Daniele Nyirandutiye, semafor.com, 6 July 2026 There is no universal checklist because people enter these platforms with different goals. — Matthew Kayser updated July 6, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026 State estimates and independent analyses project multibillion-dollar annual shortfalls in public education funding in the state since universal expansion. — Kendall Deas, The Conversation, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for universal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for universal
  1. versatile
  2. general
  3. comprehensive
  4. ubiquitous
  5. adaptable
  6. generic
  7. global
  8. widespread
Adjective
  • Roman concrete, opus caementicium, is durable, versatile, and self-healing.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 July 2026
  • Brandy Melville should implement multiple sizes or versatile fabric that would fit anyone’s body shape.
    — Sienna Feliciano, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
Definition of versatile
Adjective
  • Others, like Chevanni Davids, a 33-year-old South African man living in Bali, use them to maintain a general sense of well-being.
    — Shelby Hartman, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • Ukraine's military general staff said Monday that the strike caused a fire at the facility, which is situated nearly 2,500 kilometers (1,553 miles) from Ukrainian territory and close to Russia's border with Kazakhstan.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 7 July 2026
Definition of general
Adjective
  • Since the warehouse fire is so recent and cleanup has just begun, Jegede said the precise impact on gardens can’t be measured until comprehensive soil tests are conducted in the area.
    — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • According to the National Endowment for the Arts, which conducts the most comprehensive survey of the nation’s reading habits, fewer than half of all adults reported having read a book of any kind in 2022.
    — Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
Definition of comprehensive
Adjective
  • Beckham has all but haunted the airwaves since the World Cup kicked off on June 11, becoming the most ubiquitous feature of the tournament’s ad breaks.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 10 July 2026
  • That happens anytime new chunks of tire are exposed to the air, meaning the particle may be nearly ubiquitous in car-heavy environments.
    — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 9 July 2026
Definition of ubiquitous
Adjective
  • Having the discipline to remain calm, focused and adaptable is what separates the winners from the losers.
    — Alice Ferreira, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
  • Cosmos are adaptable to many soil conditions and attract pollinators, including birds, bees, and butterflies.
    — Steve Bender, Southern Living, 7 July 2026
Definition of adaptable
Adjective
  • Mentioning a favorite weekend routine can tell others more than a collection of generic interests.
    — Matthew Kayser Updated July 6, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026
  • My recent research showed that choosing the right-size models for specific tasks—instead of the biggest, most generic models out there—can reduce the quantity of energy needed by a factor of 33.
    — Sasha Luccioni, Time, 3 July 2026
Definition of generic
Adjective
  • And with the 2030 World Cup co-hosted by Morocco, Spain and Portugal, there will be growing expectation that they’re set to stay there, flying the flag as a global force, not just for their continent.
    — Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
  • That raised concerns that the region could tip back into a war that would engulf several countries and could halt energy shipments through the strait that are crucial for the global economy.
    — Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of global
Adjective
  • The 2023 wave of large-language-model adoption produced widespread experimentation but very little production deployment in compliance-critical workflows, because the cost of a wrong answer in regulation remains higher than the cost of a slow one.
    — Matthew White, Fortune, 7 July 2026
  • The nostalgia of the digital camera is a key factor in the widespread attraction to the device.
    — Anya Joseph, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
Definition of widespread

Browse Nearby Words

unity
universal
universally
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Universal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/universal. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on universal

Nglish: Translation of universal for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about universal

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