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as in democratic
of, relating to, or favoring political democracy a truly popular revolution, not one that replaced one dictatorship with another

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in affordable
being within the financial means of most people from their inception, DVDs were designed to be sold directly to consumers at popular prices

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective popular contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of popular are common, familiar, ordinary, plain, and vulgar. While all these words mean "generally met with and not in any way special, strange, or unusual," popular applies to what is accepted by or prevalent among people in general sometimes in contrast to upper classes or special groups.

a writer of popular romances

When is it sensible to use common instead of popular?

While the synonyms common and popular are close in meaning, common implies usual everyday quality or frequency of occurrence and may additionally suggest inferiority or coarseness.

a common error
lacked common honesty
common manners

When would familiar be a good substitute for popular?

In some situations, the words familiar and popular are roughly equivalent. However, familiar stresses the fact of being generally known and easily recognized.

a familiar melody

When might ordinary be a better fit than popular?

While in some cases nearly identical to popular, ordinary stresses conformance in quality or kind with the regular order of things.

an ordinary pleasant summer day
a very ordinary sort of man

In what contexts can plain take the place of popular?

The words plain and popular can be used in similar contexts, but plain is likely to suggest homely simplicity.

plain hard-working people

How are the words vulgar and popular related?

Vulgar, otherwise similar to popular, is likely to carry derogatory connotations (as of inferiority or coarseness).

souvenirs designed to appeal to the vulgar taste

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 popular One of the popular ways to experience the park is through Jeep tours that can also give you a few of the flowers scattered across the terrain. Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025 The principle is popular among conservative denominations like the Southern Baptist Convention, which in recent years has disfellowshipped prominent churches that have installed women pastors. Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025 Amid the high costs for producing narrative podcasts and pricy, short-term contracts for popular hosts, the idea here is being able to own, scale and control the talent (unlike those off-the-cuff humans) and produce shows at a minimal cost. Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025 Mearns quail are less inclined to call, leaving biologists to infer trends in their population from wings that hunters voluntarily leave in barrels set out at popular hunting areas. Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for popular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for popular
Adjective
  • Many have compared the silhouette to the once-fashionable Balenciaga Triple-S, another behemoth of a sneaker.
    Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Created by Buffy alum and Cabin in the Woods director Drew Goddard, ABC's crime drama stars Kaitlin Olson as an eccentric (and fashionable) janitor with a genius-level IQ who stumbles into a consulting role with the Los Angeles Police Department.
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The technique might also yield interesting possibilities in cell therapy or precision surgery, where conventional tools are too large or blunt.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Such intimate screenings and parties will continue in different locations as the film makes its way into conventional theaters.
    Andrew McGowan, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • How Often To Clean Linoleum Floors For general cleaning, Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, recommends removing dust and debris in high-traffic areas daily using a dry microfiber mop.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Remember to label, date, and mark each soil sample with the general location where it was collected.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • There is little that brings French politicians together these days, but a majority of them seem to increasingly agree that the solution to either of these problems—the far-right and the country’s democratic malaise—won’t come from the current tenant of the Elysée Palace.
    Cole Stangler, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Among confirmed titles are the studies of democracy and the democratic process.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Apex provides life insurance and supplemental coverage to millions of policyholders across North America, offering affordable protection to working families who need it most.
    William Jones, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Sturdy yet affordable, this industrial-leaning lofted bed is under $200, ideal for those on a budget or who need a temporary arrangement.
    Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • But that cheaper investment has largely been eviscerated, according to a cadre of sports bankers CNBC interviewed.
    Michael Ozanian, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Travelers can snag cheap flights to explore New York in September and October.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Each child will have the chance to meet and take photos with their favorite princesses during a special meet-and-greet.
    Tiffani Jackson Skinner, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • For instance, if a wildfire—even if far away—coincides with weather systems blowing pollution into your region, AirNow’s email will recommend staying indoors more than usual.
    Matt Fuchs, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
  • As such, there’s always been a thrill of danger to every fight, but the difference this time around is that the stakes are far higher than usual.
    David Opie, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Popular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/popular. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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