Populace is usually used to refer to all the people of a country. Thus, we're often told that an educated and informed populace is essential for a healthy American democracy. Franklin D. Roosevelt's famous radio "Fireside Chats" informed and reassured the American populace in the 1930s as we struggled through the Great Depression. We often hear about what "the general populace" is thinking or doing, but generalizing about something so huge can be tricky.
The populace has suffered greatly.
high officials awkwardly mingling with the general populace
Recent Examples on the WebIn her own eyes, Hannah cannot escape the shadow of her crimes, which are the innocent mistakes of a young woman criminalized by a prejudiced populace.—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 9 May 2024 And the longer the lockdowns, the greater harm to the populace from factors other than COVID-19.—Cory Franklin, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for populace
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'populace.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle French, from Italian popolaccio rabble, augmentative of popolo the people, from Latin populus
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