Synonyms of universal

universal

adjective

ˌyü-nə-ˈvər-səl 

1

as in versatile

able to do many different kinds of things

a universal wrench

Synonyms & Similar Words

• versatile
• adaptable
• all-round
• protean
• skilled
• skillful
• general-purpose
• multipurpose
• flexible
• adjustable
• able
• all-around
• experienced
• proficient
• variable
• adept
• expert
• plastic
• modifiable
• elastic
• mixed-use
• changeable
• ace
• well-rounded
• pliant
• malleable
• fluid
• masterful
• alterable
• pliable
• supple

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• limited
• amateur
• inexperienced

2

as in general

belonging or relating to the whole

mankind's universal need for affection

Synonyms & Similar Words

• general
• generic
• overall
• common
• global
• broad
• blanket
• wide
• widespread
• across-the-board
• collective
• comprehensive
• sweeping
• broad-brush
• extensive
• overarching
• wholesale
• pervasive
• ubiquitous
• all-embracing
• worldwide
• planetary
• complete
• aggregate
• full
• inclusionary
• broad-gauged
• plenary
• broad-gauge
• broadscale

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• particular
• individual
• component
• partial
• local
• regional
• fragmentary
• divisional
• constituent
• localized
• sectional
• cross-sectional

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

• comprehensive
• panoramic
• global
• full
• inclusive
• extensive
• complete
• general
• thorough
• omnibus
• all-inclusive
• encyclopedic
• exhaustive
• all-embracing
• compendious
• vast
• broad
• embracive
• cyclopedic
• broad-gauged
• broad-gauge
• cover-all
• cosmic
• all-in
• wide
• overall
• large
• in-depth
• catholic
• cosmical
• inclusionary
• sweeping
• far-reaching
• wide-ranging
• far
• panoptic
• indiscriminate
• encyclical
• blanket
• unrestricted
• grand

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• limited
• specialized
• narrow
• restricted
• specific
• exact
• individual
• precise
• circumscribed
• singular
• incomplete
• patchy
• sketchy

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

• ubiquitous
• widespread
• unlimited
• endless
• omnipresent
• infinite
• wall-to-wall
• boundless
• limitless
• extensive
• immeasurable
• fathomless
• measureless
• unbounded
• illimitable
• unfathomable
• indefinite
• horizonless
• immensurable
• far-flung

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• limited
• finite
• confined
• narrow
• restricted
• circumscribed
• bounded
• measured

Examples of universal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Docter’s obvious knack for channeling personal problems into universal stories helped propel the films to both Oscars and staggering box office. —Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 16 Aug. 2024

While those are universal themes, the colorful characters that inhabit Hope’s world are uniquely L.A. —William Earl, Variety, 16 Aug. 2024

Medieval universities did not automatically lead to modern (and universal) declarations of rights and secular governance for all. —Bradford Vivian / Made By History, TIME, 16 Aug. 2024

This is a universal truth but to lead it through the feminine lens is so refreshing and real. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 15 Aug. 2024