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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
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Recent Examples of public
The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
After a series of other owners came and went, Justus’ group purchased the ranch in 2013 from Wayne Pierce, a La Jolla developer who tried to build golf courses, hotels, a casino and other projects there, only to run into public opposition, pile up debt and eventually file for bankruptcy.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 29 Jan. 2026
Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 26 Jan. 2026
For the duration of The Sun trial, the film depicts Heard as the subject of public scorn.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for public
Adjective
Because of Venezuela’s oil wealth, Pombo, now 37 years old, studied for free at an excellent public university in Caracas.
—The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
After a series of other owners came and went, Justus’ group purchased the ranch in 2013 from Wayne Pierce, a La Jolla developer who tried to build golf courses, hotels, a casino and other projects there, only to run into public opposition, pile up debt and eventually file for bankruptcy.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
There are not yet any locations identified where measles was exposed to the broader public, according to the release.
—Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 26 Jan. 2026
For the duration of The Sun trial, the film depicts Heard as the subject of public scorn.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for public
Recent Examples of Synonyms for public
Adjective
-
Other SentryWorld amenities—including The Inn at SentryWorld, PJ’s and Muse restaurants, banquet facilities, and the Fieldhouse—will remain open to guests.—
Jeff Goudy,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
But an appellate court panel put that decision on hold for the time being, allowing the facility to stay open.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Stretchy side panels made movement and high-stepping across rocks feel natural and unrestricted.—
The Editors,
Outside,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Ellis, 26, is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The deaths of Pretti and Renee Good have transformed the national conversation on immigration enforcement and appear to have driven a tone shift from the White House in recent days.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
-
At least five national leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, have visited Xi in January alone.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
That summer, the NYAG’s general counsel finally found an objectionable line in one of Goldis’s blog posts, titled Free to Ban.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The team announced Thursday night that Ian Cunningham, 40, who started his career as a personnel assistant with the Baltimore Ravens, is their new general manager.—
D. Orlando Ledbetter,
AJC.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Floyd’s murder would inspire the largest racial justice collective actions in the United States since probably the civil rights movement.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The only way to stand up to divide-and-conquer is to engage through collective action, focusing on fighting fire with facts without sinking to the level of personal insults.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In a world optimized for ease, choosing to think may become a radical act.—
Rodger Dean Duncan,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
In such a world, simple answers won’t do; only the courage to ask the hardest questions will push us forward.—
Daphne Koller,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
And there’s the rub, because in reality nobody outside is actually or substantially helping defend the populace against the regime’s onslaught.—
Melik Kaylan,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Our populace is broadly wealthy.—
Marc Novicoff,
The Atlantic,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Framed as a broadcast true crime documentary made after Salazar’s trial, this brilliant lo-fi effort enlists several more talking heads to balance out the whodunnit.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Sanchez, who is also a Masked Singer alum, was in Indianapolis for a broadcast appearance on Fox Sports when the altercation occurred.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Public.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/public. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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