universalist

American  

[yoo-nuh-vur-suh-list] / ˌyu nəˈvɜr sə lɪst /

noun

1. a person characterized by universalism, as in knowledge, interests, or activities.

2. (initial capital letter) a member of a liberal religious denomination advocating Universalism.

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adjective

1. (initial capital letter) Also Universalistic. of or relating to Universalism or Universalists.

universalist British  

/ ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsəlɪst /

noun

1. a person who has a wide range of interests, knowledge, activities, etc

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adjective

1. characterized by universality

Other Word Forms

• nonuniversalist noun
• universalistic adjective

Etymology

Origin of universalist

First recorded in 1620–30; universal + -ist

Example Sentences

That’s the universalist worldview that built public education in the first place, and it’s the one we must recover to lead in the future.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 22, 2025

The creeping alien force constantly wrapping its tentacles around the dialogue in “Wrong Way” is the inoffensively postconservative, universalist rhetoric of contemporary business development.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 12, 2023

Advocates who fight discrimination welcomed the new data published this month that gives a rare insight because France follows a universalist vision that doesn’t differentiate citizens by ethnic groups.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 15, 2022

But if you looked under the hood, these universalist policies promised additional or extra or disproportionate benefits to the most vulnerable, including African Americans.

From Salon • Oct. 24, 2021

The vices of the universalist they ascribe to his creed.

From Superstition Unveiled by Southwell, Charles