Definition of popularnext
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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 Hamilton’s campaign has reported raising more than $2 million since the popular megachurch pastor launched his bid in late April. Matthew Kelly updated June 7, Kansas City Star, 7 June 2026 Tasting History with Max Miller, a popular YouTube channel with over four million subscribers, has garnered almost 425,000 views (and counting) on his video making the retro recipe. Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 7 June 2026 Wildly popular religious processions, pilgrimages and feasts continue to be held in most Spanish regions. Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026 Police are searching for at least two suspects who allegedly unleashed a hail of bullets near a popular neighborhood festival in Toledo, Ohio, injuring at least 12 people. N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 7 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for popular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for popular
Adjective
  • To truly put your most fashionable foot forward, spring for the splurge-worthy Rag & Bone Emilee Ballet Sneakers—the on-trend sneakerinas are now over $100 off.
    Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 2 June 2026
  • This is an island that attracts a fashionable globetrotting crowd, and loyal St Regis fans—arguably one in the same.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 June 2026
Adjective
  • Unmoored from the family unit, and inflated by success and ambition, she is left to roam the rainy hills like a beast that has exiled itself from conventional society.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
  • That store, in a mixed use development on South Coast Highway 101, faced lagging sales and was one of nine to close nationwide as the chain — months shy of its acquisition by Amazon — faced new competition from Walmart and other conventional grocers.
    Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2026
Adjective
  • That's our mission now is to help other DIYers learn how to do more on their project, from general contracting all the way through some of the actual construction elements.
    Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
  • There are chances to take a deep dive into various history or literature classes beyond general education requirements, or for students to discover their passions or potential career pathways, Ellman said.
    Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
Adjective
  • In War and Peace, Tolstoy’s concept—among a million other things—was to show how the young people who lived through the Napoleonic invasion went on to lead Russia’s first democratic uprising, the Decembrist Revolt of 1825.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 June 2026
  • But Rubio cautioned that Venezuela remains far from a democratic transition, saying the country still lacks the conditions necessary for free elections and continues to hold hundreds of political prisoners.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 June 2026
Adjective
  • The affordable passenger train travels between all five mountainous villages in Italy’s Cinque Terre region, running from spring until late fall.
    Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 June 2026
  • In that spirit, here are five smaller, more affordable summer music festivals on the Front Range that offer an alternative to big events — and possibly the most bang for your buck.
    John Wenzel, Denver Post, 4 June 2026
Adjective
  • Strained by tighter budgets and product price increases, more shoppers are willing to ditch their favorite brand for a cheaper alternative, a new study finds.
    Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 29 May 2026
  • The simpler, cheaper, more snow-friendly autonomous driving hardware is welcome, too.
    Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 29 May 2026
Adjective
  • The Valley Alley offers all your favorite arcade games along with a bowling alley and Topgolf suites.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
  • She was wrapped in a blanket in her favorite chair.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
Adjective
  • Laurie Metcalf, confirming her standing as the First Lady of the American Theater, won for her portrayal of Linda Loman, a more formidable than usual interpretation of Willy’s stalwart wife.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
  • Above the factory floor, the big bosses determined our production goals for the day, as usual.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Popular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/popular. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.

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