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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of public
Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2025
Subsequent congressional investigations, post-campaign books, and news stories have only hardened public opinion that, with his mental acuity faltering and physical stamina limited, Biden should have stepped aside after a single term.
—David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025
Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
Bush’s disastrous campaign to democratize the Middle East soured the American public on such policies, which in turn allowed Trump to position himself as an opponent of democracy promotion and foreign assistance more broadly.
—Omar G. Encarnación, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for public
Adjective
In some accounts of American history, the novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin decisively turned public opinion against slavery, accomplishing what pamphlets and political rhetoric could not.
—Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2025
Subsequent congressional investigations, post-campaign books, and news stories have only hardened public opinion that, with his mental acuity faltering and physical stamina limited, Biden should have stepped aside after a single term.
—David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
Since its public unveiling on the weekend, the Turner statue has elicited mirth, mockery and even anger from people on social media.
—Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
Bush’s disastrous campaign to democratize the Middle East soured the American public on such policies, which in turn allowed Trump to position himself as an opponent of democracy promotion and foreign assistance more broadly.
—Omar G. Encarnación, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for public
Recent Examples of Synonyms for public
Adjective
-
Starks’ dream is to someday visit the Warren Occult Museum in Connecticut, which is closed to the public, but open to guests who book overnight stays at the home of late, famed ghost hunters Ed and Lorraine Warren.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Menotti insisted on open, free-flowing attacking football; more in keeping with the spirit of Brazil and Dutch sides of the 1970s than Argentine sides of the past, who had earned a reputation for being defensive-minded and, above all else, extremely aggressive.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
And the longer McDavid goes without a contract extension as unrestricted free agency approaches next summer, the more the superstar’s future with the Oilers comes into question.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
In 2024, Branches was one of six nonprofits in Miami-Dade to receive $2 million in unrestricted funds from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.—
Christina Mayo,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Messi is unlikely to take part due to his call-up to Argentina’s national team, which plays a day earlier vs Venezuela at Hard Rock Stadium.—
Franco Panizo,
Miami Herald,
5 Oct. 2025
-
The Tennessean is part of the USA TODAY Network, the largest local-to-national publishing and digital media organization in the country.—
Nashville Tennessean,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Lawn chairs are permitted in the general festival areas.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Financial advisors call this lifespan, or longevity, and is calculated individually by providing some general health and family history information.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The proposal of a drone wall, which is particularly supported by Baltic and Eastern European states, is intended as both a deterrence and defensive barrier, as well as a way to pool resources to bolster Europe’s collective defense.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Under the state constitution, the gifting of certain state properties requires approval by a collective decision-making body comprised of the attorney general, the chief financial officer and the commissioner of agriculture as well as the governor.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In fact, there was a feeling that world football lacked not merely great teams, but great players.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Goldberg-Polin has become a global advocate for the remaining hostages, meeting with world leaders and speaking publicly about her loss.—
Romina Ruiz-Goiriena,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
As a result, their popularity is reflective of political and national sympathies among the populace in Mary’s time.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Sep. 2025
-
This willingness of the AI to heap praise and act as a sycophant has worrying consequences for the populace as a whole.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Going Dutch, which is wholly owned by Fox Entertainment, is an outgrowth of Leary’s broadcast direct deal with the company.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Above all, broadcast hero stories internally; behavior follows narrative.—
Jim Stevenson,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Public.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/public. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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