public 1 of 2

adjective

ˈpə-blik How to pronounce public (audio)
Definition of publicnext
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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unrestricted
freely available for use or participation by all a public swimming pool

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in national
of or relating to a nation a trade agreement in the public interest

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in general
held by or applicable to a majority of the people public sentiment was against the war

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in collective
used or done by a number of people as a group public transportation

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

public

2 of 2

noun

1
as in world
human beings in general a lecture open to the public

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 public
Adjective
The deal in Maryland was opposed by Public Citizen, a public interest advocacy nonprofit, the NAACP, the Port Tobacco River Conservancy, and the Independent Market Monitor, which acts as a neutral watchdog for the regional power market. — Petala Ironcloud, ArsTechnica, 7 Sep. 2026 The embroidered panorama depicting the last successful invasion of England goes on public display at the British Museum this week, back on British soil for the first time since the 11th century. — ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
Noun
But the viewing public, in the absence of Clancy’s own explanation of her experiences leading up to and after the killings, has projected its own ideas onto the case and rendered its own verdict. — Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026 At first, the Japanese public responded by tuning in daily, but as the week went by, interest dwindled. — Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for public
Recent Examples of Synonyms for public
  1. open
  2. unrestricted
  3. national
  4. general
  5. collective
  6. world
  7. populace
  8. broadcast
Adjective
  • Not only did the limited library cards and shirts go fast, the whole rotunda reached legal capacity in just 20 minutes post-doors open time.
    — Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The investigation into Lucas had been open since the Biden administration, the New York Times previously reported.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of open
Adjective
  • TickTalk’s approach is communication first, safety always, with less screen time and fewer distractions than a smartphone with social media, games, and unrestricted internet access.
    — Jon Stojan, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Last June, Shara signed a decree permitting foreign investors full ownership rights in most sectors, an unrestricted ability to repatriate their profits, and extensive tax and customs concessions.
    — Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of unrestricted
Adjective
  • The national flags of China and New Zealand flutter at Tian'anmen Square on June 19, 2025 in Beijing, China.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Asking this team to go out and win a national title might be a bridge too far, but Florida was a darkhorse Playoff contender this time a year ago.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of national
Adjective
  • Shelley served as the Warriors’ associate general counsel and director of business and legal affairs and risk management, and Vasquez was the vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion.
    — Devon Henderson, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The Israel Defense Forces captured Hamas' head of general security during a raid in Gaza, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said.
    — Anders Hagstrom, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of general
Adjective
  • Several theories involving collective electronic interactions remain possible.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
  • One overarching goal for collective action should be increasing predictability wherever possible.
    — Anna Nelson, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of collective
Noun
  • Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 A bigger world is calling, but the unread messages aren’t going anywhere.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026
  • In 2025, World Tennis, the sport’s world governing body, changed the rules, allowing it essentially everywhere.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of world
Noun
  • China also hopes to encourage more citizens to exercise, thereby making an aging populace more active and reducing strain on the health system.
    — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2026
  • This is where the irrationality of antisemitic conspiracy gains no purchase among a reasoning and pragmatic populace; where government is led by people who grasp, and embrace, the seriousness of their responsibilities.
    — Rory Lancman, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of populace
Adjective
  • Federal prohibition still locks plant-touching brands out of Meta, Google, most broadcast and print channels, and, sometimes, even basic financial plumbing.
    — Peter Su, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • In separate filings, both media outlets raised questions as to the validity of the NFL’s broadcast antitrust exemption, a provision established under the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of broadcast

Phrases Containing public

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pub crawlers
public
publication
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Cite this Entry

“Public.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/public. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on public

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about public

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