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

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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

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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
That is a failure of our medical system, that is a failure of our housing system, and that is also a public-safety issue. — Mark Guiducci, Vanity Fair, 30 Oct. 2026 But in August the issue burst into public view when the wife of a Marine Corps officer went viral with an online plea, warning that she and her children could be trapped indefinitely in Germany. — Brianna Keilar, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026
Noun
Iron Boy also won the features audience award, voted on by the festival public. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026 Although Luther had not intended his work for the broader public, his theses were soon translated into German, printed, and distributed. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Oct. 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
  • Charlotte won the rebound battle 51 to 44, but left the Pistons open way too often and were sloppy with the ball, committing 25 turnovers.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Residents were also advised to install window screens and chimney caps, secure exterior doors and avoid leaving unscreened windows open, particularly while sleeping.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of open
Adjective
  • This mandated that at least 10% of locally generated, unrestricted revenue be allocated to incarceration alternatives.
    — Times staff, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Alexander Goldberg, a district spokesperson, said Measure M is not intended to redirect existing unrestricted general fund money that SCUSD spends on special education.
    — Chaewon Chung October 29, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of unrestricted
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, Qatar's national gas company said one of its vessels was struck in the Persian Gulf, and Israeli strikes on Gaza killed eight people, including a young boy.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Support for Question 3 recognizes that Maryland cannot ignore a national effort to consolidate Republican power and hope the consequences pass us by.
    — Dylan Behler, Baltimore Sun, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of national
Adjective
  • His dip in the polling this month seems less attributable to any new policy position or statements than to just a general gloom among California residents about the state’s direction, Baldassare said.
    — Andrew Graham October 27, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026
  • That’s the case in Baltimore County as well — the administrative officer is paid a flat annual salary and does not receive general increases or cost-of-living adjustments.
    — Natalie Jones, Baltimore Sun, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of general
Adjective
  • In 1967, as the Cold War still dominated the country’s collective consciousness, Gene Roddenberry added a young Russian navigator to the bridge of the USS Enterprise.
    — Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Our collective belief that menstrual blood is somehow grosser than other blood is deeply entrenched.
    — Fiorella Valdesolo, Allure, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of collective
Noun
  • Aston Martin had long carved out something of its own space in the fast-car world, but with the all-new Vantage, the automaker both moved down in price and up in sharpness, putting it head to head with the likes of the iconic Porsche 911.
    — Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Over the past year, DoorDash’s expansion into the apparel and fashion world has been noticeable considering how much apparel has lagged in on-demand delivery compared to categories like groceries and household items.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of world
Noun
  • Sure, in 1854, the first prepacked box of Whitman's chocolates was introduced, guaranteeing to the American populace a standard of staleness, of flavorlessness, for years to come.
    — Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The idea is that voting is not the only way to drive change; demonstration is considered a bedrock value, a way to make elites hear the populace and to defend freedoms.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 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 4 Nov. 2026.

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