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. Robert J. Sawyer:

   Not wanting to die was another universal constant, it seemed.

2. Daniel DaleWealth taxesWarren:

   I have proposed a two-cent wealth tax on the top one-tenth of one percent in this country, that would give us enough money to start with our babies by providing universal child care for every baby age 0 to 5, universal pre-k for every 3-year-old and 4-year-old in this country.

3. Edgar Quinet:

   Universal orthodoxy is enriched by every new discovery of truth: what at first appeared universal, by wishing to stand still, sooner or later becomes a sect.

4. French Culture Minister Fleur Pellerin:

   To attack the work of artists is to attack the universal values of culture - that is freedom and human dignity, this is an act that simply shows a facist vision of culture.

5. A. Sachs:

   Death is more universal than life; everyone dies but not everyone lives.