Synonyms for universal
ˌyu nəˈvɜr səluni·ver·sal

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:5.0 / 1 vote

1. universal

   Common signifies frequently occurring, not out of the regular course, not exceptional; hence, not above the average, not excellent or distinguished, inferior, or even low; common also signifies pertaining to or participated in by two or more persons or things; as, sorrow is common to the race. General may signify pertaining equally to all of a class, race, etc., but very commonly signifies pertaining to the greater number, but not necessarily to all. Universal applies to all without exception; general applies to all with possible or comparatively slight exceptions; common applies to very many without deciding whether they are even a majority. A common remark is one we often hear; a general experience is one that comes to the majority of people; a universal experience is one from which no human being is exempt. It is dangerous for a debater to affirm a universal proposition, since that can be negatived by a single exception, while a general statement is not invalidated even by adducing many exceptions. We say a common opinion, common experience, a general rule, general truth, a universal law. Compare synonyms for NORMAL; USUAL.

   Synonyms:
   common, commonplace, customary, everyday, familiar, frequent, general, habitual, normal, ordinary, popular, prevalent, public, usual

   Antonyms:
   exceptional, infrequent, rare, singular, uncommon, unknown, unusual

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:5.0 / 1 vote

1. universal

   Synonyms:
   all, embracing, total, unlimited, boundless, comprehensive, entire, general, whole, exhaustive, complete

   Antonyms:
   partial, local, limited, incomplete, exclusive, exhaustive, exceptional

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:5.0 / 1 vote

1. universal, linguistic universalnoun

   (linguistics) a grammatical rule (or other linguistic feature) that is found in all languages

   Synonyms:
   universal joint, linguistic universal, universal proposition

   Antonyms:
   particular proposition, particular, noncomprehensive, specific, incomprehensive, unadaptable

2. universal, universal propositionnoun

   (logic) a proposition that asserts something of all members of a class

   Synonyms:
   universal joint, linguistic universal, universal proposition

   Antonyms:
   particular, particular proposition, unadaptable, specific, incomprehensive, noncomprehensive

3. universalnoun

   a behavioral convention or pattern characteristic of all members of a particular culture or of all human beings

   "some form of religion seems to be a human universal"

   Synonyms:
   universal joint, linguistic universal, universal proposition

   Antonyms:
   particular proposition, particular, unadaptable, incomprehensive, noncomprehensive, specific

4. universal joint, universaladjective

   coupling that connects two rotating shafts allowing freedom of movement in all directions

   "in motor vehicles a universal joint allows the driveshaft to move up and down as the vehicle passes over bumps"

   Synonyms:
   universal joint, linguistic universal, universal proposition

   Antonyms:
   particular, particular proposition, unadaptable, noncomprehensive, specific, incomprehensive

5. cosmopolitan, ecumenical, oecumenical, general, universal, worldwide, world-wideadjective

   of worldwide scope or applicability

   "an issue of cosmopolitan import"; "the shrewdest political and ecumenical comment of our time"- Christopher Morley; "universal experience"

   Synonyms:
   widely distributed, world(a), planetary, world-wide, general, global, ecumenical, worldwide, ecumenic, oecumenic, cosmopolitan, oecumenical

   Antonyms:
   particular proposition, particular, noncomprehensive, incomprehensive, unadaptable, specific

6. universaladjective

   applicable to or common to all members of a group or set

   "the play opened to universal acclaim"; "rap enjoys universal appeal among teenage boys"

   Synonyms:
   cosmopolitan, world-wide, worldwide, ecumenical, oecumenical, general

   Antonyms:
   particular proposition, particular, specific, incomprehensive, noncomprehensive, unadaptable

7. universaladjective

   adapted to various purposes, sizes, forms, operations

   "universal wrench", "universal chuck"; "universal screwdriver"

   Synonyms:
   cosmopolitan, world-wide, worldwide, ecumenical, oecumenical, general

   Antonyms:
   particular, particular proposition, noncomprehensive, unadaptable, specific, incomprehensive

Matched Categories

1. • Convention
   • Linguistics
   • Logic
   • Proposition
   • Rule

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. universaladjective

   Synonyms:
   unlimited, all-reaching, catholic, general, without exception

2. universaladjective

   Synonyms:
   total, whole

3. universaladjective

   Synonyms:
   ECUMENICAL

4. universalnoun

   Synonyms:
   (Logic.) general notion or conception (applicable to each individual of a species and expressed by a general term), IDEA

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "universal":

   universelle, universality, world, global, universale, universally, universelles, general, widespread, one-size-fits-all, universalization, worldwide, generalized

How to pronounce universal?

How to say universal in sign language?

Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use universal in a sentence?

1. Blake Gwinn:

   Market expectations for a dovish shift are nearly universal, the only question seems to be the degree, markets will be looking for validation of this pricing.

2. Sandro Galea:

   Very few of the existing state-specific firearms laws are associated with reduced mortality, and this evidence underscores the importance of focusing on relevant and effective firearms legislation, implementing universal background checks for the purchase of firearms or ammunition, and firearm identification nationally could substantially reduce mortality in the U.S.

3. Samuel Butler:

   All progress is based upon a universal innate desire on the part of every organism to live beyond its income.

4. James Madison:

   The free system of government we have established is so congenial with reason, with common sense, and with a universal feeling, that it must produce approbation and a desire of imitation, as avenues may be found for truth to the knowledge of nations.

5. Charles Baudelaire:

   It is by universal misunderstanding that all agree. For if, by ill luck, people understood each other, they would never agree.