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

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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
In response to the letter, OpenAI sent an internal memo to employees, as well as put out a public statement. — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026 Two of Belgium’s largest labor unions organized Friday’s daylong national strike, with a separate public-sector walkout planned for Monday. — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Noun
The gatekeepers who controlled which stories were told to the wider public are falling away. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026 And Gucci Racing is an intelligent way of opening Gucci to maybe a larger public, beyond fashion. — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 7 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
  • Salvia Terrace & Bar is open daily for breakfast and lunch, while Violetto serves dinner Wednesday through Sunday.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Making payments on time, paying down credit card balances and keeping older accounts open when practical may help strengthen your credit profile over time.
    — Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of open
Adjective
  • Cunningham is headed toward unrestricted free agency after two seasons with Indiana.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Opening the show, model Dyanira Hurbuscher walked in a sheer look — a bra hinting at the boning seen in Edwardian-era corsetry, but completely softened and unrestricted (Gabrielle famously rejected the stiff fashion rules of her time).
    — Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of unrestricted
Adjective
  • But national Democrats have been eying the race for months due to the state’s large Black population, and Obama’s ad is a clear effort to juice turnout.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • It was put on by a company called Candle House, which, though little-known as of yet in the theatrical mainstream, has enough of a cult national reputation that nearly all of the 76 shows sold out pretty much just on word of mouth, at $247 a pop.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of national
Adjective
  • Officials have also decided on a general application screening and approval process, including what types of background checks will be necessary and which government agencies should be involved.
    — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Davide Sgariboldi, general manager at Euroitalia, said that causes excitement.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of general
Adjective
  • Part of our collective mounting dread is that this technology is far outstripping the ability, access, and time required to study its effects on human beings.
    — Laura Reiley, Vanity Fair, 9 Oct. 2026
  • O’Hare though paid individuals a collective $16,000 for canvassing, whereas Simmons doesn’t report spending any.
    — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of collective
Noun
  • More delegates from Latin America, the Arab world and Africa could lift the number of countries represented past 60, and possibly above 70.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Run by the art world’s favorite chef Mina Stone, the café serves an all-day menu of hearty salads, flavorful soups, Greek mezze and fancy toast.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of world
Noun
  • The decision was ultimately reversed by a New York Supreme Court judge, on the grounds that Warren violated the populace’s religious liberties.
    — Clare Whitton, The Conversation, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The entire populace is beholden to Billy’s stepmom, Zoe Macon (Poorna Jagannathan), their resident Manhunter in hiding.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 15 Sep. 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 14 Oct. 2026.

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