universalist

universalist — noun

1. The religious belief that every person, no matter what they have done, is grante

1.名詞C1
釋義

The religious belief that every person, no matter what they have done, is granted salvation and reconciliation with God in the end.

例句

Ezra studied universalist in theology class and found the idea of mercy for all people moving.

uncountable noun with 'studied' in academic context

The 18th-century preacher traveled through New England spreading universalist to small congregations.

同義詞
  • universal salvation

    A more descriptive phrase rather than a single-word synonym; universalist is the doctrinal label.

反義詞
  • particularism

    The opposing Christian doctrine that only some people are saved.

用法筆記

Often uncountable when referring to the abstract doctrine. Frequently appears in historical or theological writing about the 18th and 19th centuries.

常見錯誤

❌I believe in a universalist that saves everyone.
✅I believe in universalist, the idea that everyone is saved.
💡Do not use an article (a/an) when referring to the abstract doctrine.

2. A liberal Christian tradition that began in the 1700s around the belief that God

2.名詞C1
釋義

A liberal Christian tradition that began in the 1700s around the belief that God will save everyone, and later merged with Unitarianism into a faith that values reason, social justice, and inclusive community.

例句

Emre started attending a universalist church where the minister spoke about helping the homeless.

The principles of universalist include respect for all beliefs and work for a fair society.

uncountable noun with 'principles of'

同義詞
  • Unitarian Universalism

    The modern merged denomination; broader than the historical universalist movement alone.

  • Universalism

    An alternative name for the same denominational tradition, often capitalized.

用法筆記

In American English, universalist is often used as a modifier before nouns such as 'church', 'congregation', 'movement', or 'tradition'. The modern denomination is called Unitarian Universalism; use 'universalist' for the historical tradition before the 1961 merger.

常見錯誤

❌She goes to universalist church every Sunday.
✅She goes to a Universalist church every Sunday.
💡Capitalize the denominational name and use an article when referring to a specific congregation.

3. An idea, rule, or value that is meant to apply to all people in all places, with

3.名詞C1
釋義

An idea, rule, or value that is meant to apply to all people in all places, without being limited to a single culture, country, or time period.

例句

The belief that every child deserves an education is a universalist that crosses national borders.

countable noun: 'a universalist that…'

Valentina argued that human dignity is a universalist, not a value limited to one tradition.

同義詞
反義詞

用法筆記

In this sense, universalist is a countable noun and often refers to an abstract concept (a principle, value, or rule). Common in academic or formal writing about ethics, human rights, and philosophy.

常見錯誤

❌Clean water is a universalist, so everyone needs it.
✅Access to clean water is a universalist
💡a principle that applies to everyone.' — This sense is about a principle or value, not a physical thing.

4. The quality or state of being relevant or true for everyone, everywhere, without

4.名詞C1
釋義

The quality or state of being relevant or true for everyone, everywhere, without exception.

例句

The novel achieved a remarkable universalist — readers in Tokyo and Buenos Aires found the same meaning.

countable: 'a universalist' meaning a quality

Adisa questioned the universalist of the policy, because it ignored rural communities entirely.

同義詞
反義詞

用法筆記

This sense overlaps with 'universality' and is rare in everyday English. It appears mostly in formal academic writing about philosophy, art, law, or social science. Like the first sense, it is usually uncountable but can appear with an indefinite article when referring to a specific instance (e.g., 'a remarkable universalist').

常見錯誤

❌The universalist of music is that everyone enjoys it.
✅The universalist of music means it can be enjoyed by people everywhere.
💡Do not use 'universalist' as a synonym for 'universal truth'; it refers to a quality, not a fact.