univocal

adjective

yü-ˈni-və-kəl How to pronounce univocal (audio)
Definition of univocalnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for univocal
  1. explicit
  2. definite
  3. express
  4. specific
  5. definitive
Adjective
  • There is no more explicit example of the vulnerability of American democracy, and of the magnitude of the task of repairing it once it is breached.
    — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 3 July 2026
  • The real toxicity concern, per The New Republic‘s review of contractor materials, confirming previous reporting from Meidas News, lies in the epoxy resin used for the pool’s new lining, which carries explicit long-term aquatic toxicity warnings.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 July 2026
Definition of explicit
Adjective
  • There is a definite flight to quality, with newer, more amenity-rich buildings — known as Class A buildings — seeing strong demand, while older buildings sit half empty.
    — Diana Olick, CNBC, 8 July 2026
  • The visual transformation is worthy of a Marvel movie, and there are definite vibes of Tony Stark.
    — Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 7 July 2026
Definition of definite
Adjective
  • Australia, Japan and New Zealand express criticism Beijing’s militarization has drawn concerns, and Australia, Japan and New Zealand criticized the launch.
    — Huizhong Wu, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • The Steamship Authority runs a two-and-a-half-hour ferry to Nantucket (which can accommodate cars), and an express one-hour ferry (which does not allow cars).
    — Maya Kachroo-Levine, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
Definition of express
Adjective
  • Follow the specific directions from your doctor and the exact type of medicine, first and foremost.
    — Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • Multiple readers of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and 11Alive viewers have reached out to me with this specific concern.
    — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of specific
Adjective
  • By consolidating voting control in the hands of the controller, the company guarantees that management is held accountable by a definitive, central authority.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 6 July 2026
  • For thousands of Venezuelans, however, the absence of definitive answers has become one of the tragedy’s most painful consequences.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
Definition of definitive

Browse Nearby Words

universes
univocal
unjust
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Cite this Entry

“Univocal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/univocal. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of xeric

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All