Definitions

universal

[yoo-nuh-vur-suhl] / ˌyu nəˈvɜr səl /

ADJECTIVE

worldwide, entire

Synonyms

STRONGEST

broad common comprehensive extensive global prevalent ubiquitous unlimited

STRONG

catholic cosmopolitan empyrean general generic regular sweeping total whole

WEAK

accepted all all over all-embracing all-inclusive astronomical celestial cosmic customary diffuse ecumenical multinational mundane omnipresent planetary stellar terrestrial undisputed unrestricted usual widespread worldly

Antonyms

STRONGEST

limited narrow rare restricted scarce uncommon

STRONG

abnormal exclusive extraordinary incomplete individual partial particular specific unusual

WEAK

confined local

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Industries filling universal needs tend to consolidate into a handful of players.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

Dollar Signs: Instagram shows me at least 4 ads a day for indexed universal life insurance.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

One of those projects is Ford’s universal electric vehicle platform unveiled in 2025 External link.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

For decades, physicists have been trying to answer a fundamental question: can electrons move like a perfectly smooth, frictionless fluid governed by a universal quantum value?

From Science Daily • Apr. 15, 2026

For the first time, science could see the universal laws that underlie all of these little half laws.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife

Vocabulary lists containing universal

Power Prefix: uni-

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Four Power Prefixes: anti-, con-, inter-, and uni-.

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Vocabulary to Describe Literary Devices

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