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

That question circulated across the United States six years ago as the country reckoned with racial injustice in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd, including who is represented by, or excluded from, our public symbols. — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026

David Moore, senior assistant county solicitor, said the county is required to comply with a state statute that calls for a six-month notice and public comment period for buildings that will be used for immigration detention. — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

Noun

But the consequence of this relentless churn of work has been a wild inconsistency in quality, leading to a cooling with even his most devoted viewing public. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 8 Aug. 2026

Singer to step back from work after 'ongoing public scrutiny'Need a news break? — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing public

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