Synonyms of public

public 1 of 2

adjective

ˈpə-blik 

1

as in open

not known by only a select few

the mayor's plans to retire have been public knowledge for some time

Synonyms & Similar Words

• open
• general
• broadcast
• publicized
• shared
• widespread
• aired
• communal
• on record
• popular
• prevalent
• current
• published
• unclassified
• nonclassified
• well-known
• disclosed
• advertised
• posted
• declared
• announced
• proclaimed
• rumored
• heralded
• promulgated
• reported
• rife
• divulged
• reputed
• spotlighted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• private
• confidential
• secret
• privy
• classified
• personal
• undisclosed
• clandestine
• unannounced
• covert
• unadvertised
• conspiratorial
• intimate
• collusive
• surreptitious
• undercover
• withheld
• underhanded
• underhand
• repressed
• concealed
• reserved
• suppressed
• revoked
• stifled
• retracted
• silenced
• recanted

2

as in unrestricted

freely available for use or participation by all

a public swimming pool

Synonyms & Similar Words

• open
• unrestricted
• communal
• collective
• shared
• free-for-all
• available
• accessible
• common
• free
• unregulated
• unreserved

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• private
• closed
• exclusive
• restricted
• limited
• off-limits
• inaccessible
• unavailable

3

as in national

of or relating to a nation

a trade agreement in the public interest

Synonyms & Similar Words

• national
• civil
• federal
• municipal
• civic
• governmental
• government
• internal
• democratic
• republican
• nationwide
• domestic
• intestine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• international
• global
• foreign
• nonnational
• external
• alien

4

as in general

held by or applicable to a majority of the people

public sentiment was against the war

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

5

as in collective

used or done by a number of people as a group

public transportation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• collective
• joint
• collaborative
• communal
• combined
• mutual
• shared
• cooperative
• concerted
• multiple
• united
• pooled
• common
• conjoint
• general
• reciprocal
• bilateral
• mass
• consensual
• conjunct
• generic
• synergistic
• symbiotic
• popular
• universal
• two-way
• synergic

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• individual
• private
• personal
• single
• exclusive
• sole
• one-man
• unilateral
• solitary
• several
• independent
• separate
• special
• one-sided
• one-way
• particular
• specialized
• esoteric

public

2 of 2

noun

1

as in world

human beings in general

a lecture open to the public

Synonyms & Similar Words

• world
• people
• humanity
• folks
• society
• species
• humankind
• community
• populace
• masses
• crowd
• rabble
• proletariat
• mob
• rabblement
• riffraff

2

as in populace

the body of the community as contrasted with the elite

the highbrows have always disdained his novels, but the public just eats them up

Synonyms & Similar Words

• populace
• people
• crowd
• mass
• commons
• commoners
• mob
• millions
• multitude
• plebeians
• plebs
• rank and file
• herd
• cattle
• hoi polloi
• rabble
• proletariat
• unwashed
• trash
• rout
• riffraff
• scum
• bourgeoisie
• rabblement
• middle class
• ragtag and bobtail
• tag, rag, and bobtail

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• elite
• choice
• aristocracy
• pride
• flower
• elect
• cream
• fat
• upper crust
• pink
• society
• A-list
• best
• pick
• quality
• nobility
• royalty
• corps d'elite
• gentry
• peerage
• gentility
• patriciate
• gentlefolk
• haute monde

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of public

Adjective

The adviser told me that, even without drastically expanding the budget or upending the financial markets, Burnham could borrow a bit more to finance public-infrastructure investments and channel money to depressed regions. — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 20 July 2026

When judgments against cities, counties, school districts, and public hospitals increase dramatically, taxpayers ultimately pay the bill. — Eric "doc" Stelnicki, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026

Noun

Back in the day, there was an entire show where moments like this would be riffed on and rehashed for the nostalgic public. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 17 July 2026

This riled up the Kremlin, which works to create a perception of total support for Putin among the voting public. — Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 17 July 2026

Phrases Containing public

• go public (with)
• public house
• public servant
• public speaking