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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 Jason Kelce, the former Philadelphia Eagles center who is co-host of the wildly popular New Heights podcast, visited Children’s Mercy Hospital on Saturday and later was at T-Mobile Center. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 1 June 2025 Hailey, 28, appeared in a new episode of Vogue's popular In the Bag series, in tandem with her cover story, which was released on Tuesday, May 20. Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 21 May 2025 The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) returned to action after a month’s break to host one of their biggest and most popular events of the season: the 2025 Veolia Atlanta Pickleball Championships. Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025 Thanks to that songwriting session, Pattie also has ties to one of the Beatles’ most popular hits. Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for popular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for popular
Adjective
  • Original price: $40 (Abercrombie & Fitch) A fashionable, heavyweight cropped tee from Abercrombie & Fitch is the definition of style meets comfort.
    Christopher Murray may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 23 May 2025
  • The Pitch Perfect actress played the flamboyantly fashionable Capitol chaperone for all four Hunger Games films until 2015.
    Emily Blackwood, People.com, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • Though conventional stretch offers the wearer many advantages—like asset enhancing fits and more mobility, for example—the environment pays the price as elastane is, essentially, plastic.
    Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 23 May 2025
  • While conventional productivity tools address symptoms, one mindset consistently proves more effective as a long-term defense: curiosity.
    Rob Robinson, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • Oilers general manager Stan Bowman never really tried.
    Pierre LeBrun, New York Times, 26 May 2025
  • Valuation: Reasonable on Surface, Risky Underneath At first sight, Moderna’s valuation multiple, indicated by a P/S ratio of 3.2 times, seems neutral when compared to the broader market, aligning its valuation multiple with that of the general market.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Adjective
  • The polling data suggests growing dissatisfaction within the Democratic base, particularly concerning Schumer's response to rising antisemitism and his leadership during recent political challenges.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025
  • In theory, these armchair diagnoses were an oblique means for Fielder to gain an audience with Rep. Steve Cohen, a Democratic congressman from Tennessee who’s both a member of the House’s aviation subcommittee and an advocate for the neurodivergent.
    Alison Herman, Variety, 26 May 2025
Adjective
  • But for many people, the most pressing problem remains finding an affordable place to live.
    Marisa Peñaloza, NPR, 2 June 2025
  • The site was launched by Paige Griffith, who decided that there must be a source for necessary legal documents specifically for small businesses and at an affordable price point.
    Jeff Rose, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Adjective
  • One possible option is a center or third lane with curbs that would require less land to be acquired and be cheaper.
    Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2025
  • And even as the price tags continue to rise, there is an argument to be made that NWSL teams remain cheap.
    Brett Knight, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Adjective
  • 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, EW.com, 28 May 2025
  • The linen-blend pants have become a shopper favorite, and more than 1,000 of them were purchased this month, according to Amazon.
    Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • Despite being one of the pre-tournament favorites, the Northern Irishman performed poorly in the event, which many attribute to his need to play with a different driver than usual.
    Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
  • Recruiters are no longer confined to hiring in the same usual saturated areas, benefiting emerging tech hubs.
    Nacho De Marco, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Popular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/popular. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

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