as in explicit
so clearly expressed as to leave no doubt about the meaning
those who believe that the language of the Bible is univocal: it is never metaphorical but intended to be taken literally
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Recent Examples of univocal
Similarly, the dozens of people whom Greaves interviews in the film aren’t delivering a single and univocal history of the Harlem Renaissance but a polyphonic transmission of it.
—
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2025
At a press event this week, the new Paramount leadership expressed their univocal support for theatrical movies.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2025
An understanding of user diversity is often unexplored territory for brands, requiring a shift from univocal to multi-frequency communication that constantly and comprehensively reignites connection with targets, drawing them in and reaffirming values, proving to be a true asset.
—Fairchild Studio, WWD, 26 Nov. 2024
Her inability to distill a message from her show is a testament not so much to Jane’s insufficient writerly chops as to the challenge of wringing out a univocal meaning from biracial America.
—Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2024
Today’s political mainstream consists of a rising univocal, powerful, and intolerant pro-war movement for which the invasion is existential.
—Tatiana Stanovaya, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2022
Yet, as with almost everything Shostakovich wrote, the score defeats a univocal interpretation, its classical four-movement structure interlaced with political, personal, and purely musical messages.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2022
Who Lived Her Songs—Cash greatly complicates the popcult caricature of country music as a univocal genre of jingoist belligerence and boosterism, as exemplified by Toby Keith, Daryl Worley, Hank Williams Jr., and the late-career Charlie Daniels.
—Chris Lehmann, The New Republic, 7 Dec. 2021
But the narrative emerging from key players in the Arab world for which Tunisia’s Arab Spring legacy presents a clear challenge — Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt — was far more univocal: The events in Tunisia marked the death knell for political Islam in democracy.
—Washington Post, 27 July 2021
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2025
At a press event this week, the new Paramount leadership expressed their univocal support for theatrical movies.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2025
An understanding of user diversity is often unexplored territory for brands, requiring a shift from univocal to multi-frequency communication that constantly and comprehensively reignites connection with targets, drawing them in and reaffirming values, proving to be a true asset.
—Fairchild Studio, WWD, 26 Nov. 2024
Her inability to distill a message from her show is a testament not so much to Jane’s insufficient writerly chops as to the challenge of wringing out a univocal meaning from biracial America.
—Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2024
Today’s political mainstream consists of a rising univocal, powerful, and intolerant pro-war movement for which the invasion is existential.
—Tatiana Stanovaya, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2022
Yet, as with almost everything Shostakovich wrote, the score defeats a univocal interpretation, its classical four-movement structure interlaced with political, personal, and purely musical messages.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2022
Who Lived Her Songs—Cash greatly complicates the popcult caricature of country music as a univocal genre of jingoist belligerence and boosterism, as exemplified by Toby Keith, Daryl Worley, Hank Williams Jr., and the late-career Charlie Daniels.
—Chris Lehmann, The New Republic, 7 Dec. 2021
But the narrative emerging from key players in the Arab world for which Tunisia’s Arab Spring legacy presents a clear challenge — Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt — was far more univocal: The events in Tunisia marked the death knell for political Islam in democracy.
—Washington Post, 27 July 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for univocal
Adjective
-
While the researchers don’t know for sure why speed training showed a benefit while the other forms did not, one possibility lies in the difference between implicit and explicit learning.—
Akshay Syal,
NBC news,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Wuthering Heights has the tunnel-vision horniness and girlish aesthetic sensibility of a high-school freshman who’s been assigned to read Brontë in class while tearing through a pile of explicit bodice-rippers under the covers at home.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Currently, Scream 7 is great with the 17-34 bunch and multicultural audiences across definite interest and first choice.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
5 Feb. 2026
-
There's a definite need to take a look at systemic safety on our roadways.—
Kayla Moeller,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Heathcliff then returns, years later and bearing a mysterious windfall of newfound wealth, with the express goal of inflicting as much cruelty and pain as possible on the remaining members of the Earnshaw and Linton families.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Services include shaving, hair care and facial treatments, ranging from express face massages and 30-minute beard trimming priced at 30 euros and 50 euros, respectively, to two-hour long beauty sessions for 230 euros.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
By adjusting for variables such as smoking, physical activity and underlying health conditions, the researchers were able to isolate the specific relationship between caffeine intake and long-term brain health, SWNS noted.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
James Reilly, senior markets economist at Capital Economics, said in a note that while the broader stock market continues to climb higher, exposure to AI will be a specific boost or drag for certain companies.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This is the 18th century, after all — DNA and 23andMe are still two centuries off, so definitive proof of the seemingly impossible lineage will take time and effort to piece together.—
Amy Wilkinson,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The candy analysis has not been peer-reviewed, and in a press release, the FDOH indicated that the study findings aren’t definitive.—
Owen Clarke,
Outside,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Univocal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/univocal. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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