Synonyms of popular

popular

adjective

ˈpä-pyə-lər 

1

as in fashionable

enjoying widespread favor or approval

an actor who was popular in the 1970s

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fashionable
• favorite
• popularized
• large
• famous
• pop
• hot
• big
• desirable
• happening
• vogue
• in
• preferred
• faddish
• prominent
• red-hot
• celebrated
• legendary
• crowd-pleasing
• faddy
• fabulous
• renowned
• modish
• notorious
• famed
• voguish
• selected
• liked
• important
• du jour
• well-known
• outstanding
• notable
• noted
• semipopular
• fabled
• remarkable
• leading
• wanted
• significant

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unpopular
• out
• unfashionable
• rejected
• disliked
• despised
• unimportant
• hated
• detested
• insignificant
• unknown
• obscure
• anonymous
• unexceptional
• washed-up
• inconspicuous
• nameless
• indistinguished

2

as in conventional

accepted, used, or practiced by most people

the popular custom of exchanging greeting cards during the holiday season

Synonyms & Similar Words

• conventional
• usual
• current
• prevailing
• customary
• prevalent
• standard
• going
• widespread
• common
• stock
• normal
• average
• ordinary
• regular
• ubiquitous
• everyday
• universal
• fashionable
• routine
• in
• stylish
• accustomed
• epidemic
• wonted
• modish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unusual
• unpopular
• extraordinary
• uncommon
• unconventional
• abnormal
• exceptional
• nonstandard

3

as in general

held by or applicable to a majority of the people

popular opinion on that issue has changed dramatically over the years

Synonyms & Similar Words

• general
• prevailing
• public
• overall
• common
• predominant
• unanimous
• majority
• vulgar
• received
• usual
• current
• ruling
• present
• dominant
• contemporary
• typical
• universal
• familiar
• widespread
• prevalent
• well-known
• characteristic
• pop
• everyday
• pervasive
• communal
• rife
• preponderant
• shared
• household
• pandemic

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• uncommon
• unusual
• special
• rare
• unpopular
• unknown
• strange
• unique
• distinctive
• individual
• peculiar
• personal
• separate
• private
• idiosyncratic
• especial
• singular
• nonpublic

4

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

• democratic
• republican
• representative
• libertarian
• self-governing
• self-ruling
• nontotalitarian

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• undemocratic
• autocratic
• tyrannical
• despotic
• nondemocratic
• monarchical
• dictatorial
• monarchal

5

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

• affordable
• accessible
• cheap
• discount
• inexpensive
• low
• low-end
• reasonable
• budget
• moderate
• modest
• rock-bottom
• bargain-basement

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expensive
• high
• costly
• dear
• upscale
• high-end

6

as in cheap

costing little

we also have the popular models, for those who prefer not to invest too much in a new TV

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cheap
• inexpensive
• affordable
• reasonable
• low
• low-end
• budget
• dirt cheap
• cheapie
• chintzy
• dime-store
• cut-price
• cheapo
• cut-rate
• moderate
• discounted
• bargain-basement
• reduced
• el cheapo
• worthless
• discount
• lowered
• wholesale
• valueless
• cheapish
• fire-sale
• ultracheap
• supercheap

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• valuable
• expensive
• high
• costly
• premium
• pricey
• precious
• dear
• deluxe
• inflated
• increased
• extravagant
• prohibitive
• unreasonable
• high-ticket
• steep
• spendy
• exorbitant
• stiff
• invaluable
• overpriced
• luxurious
• priceless
• prohibitory
• ultraexpensive
• superexpensive

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

Recent Examples of popular

According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association's 2026 Kitchen Trends Report, 51% of designers shared that white oak will become the most popular kitchen cabinet wood to use, not just in 2026 but for the next three years to come. —Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 15 Feb. 2026

Oversized, cozy quarter-zip sweaters are a popular wardrobe staple for celebrities, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Margot Robbie, and Hudson Williams. —Irene Richardson, InStyle, 15 Feb. 2026

Sivan grew up as a popular YouTuber in the 2010s before going all-in on pop stardom. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 15 Feb. 2026

There will be something different when Mainly Mozart presents this year’s 38th edition of its increasingly popular All-Star Orchestra Festival from June 17 to June 27 at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall in La Jolla and UC San Diego’s Epstein Family Amphitheater in La Jolla. —Beth Wood, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026