Synonyms of public

public 1 of 2

adjective

ˈpə-blik 

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

• open
• general
• broadcast
• publicized
• shared
• widespread
• aired
• communal
• on record
• popular
• prevalent
• current
• published
• unclassified
• nonclassified
• well-known
• disclosed
• advertised
• posted
• declared
• announced
• proclaimed
• rumored
• heralded
• promulgated
• reported
• rife
• divulged
• reputed
• spotlighted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• private
• confidential
• secret
• privy
• classified
• personal
• undisclosed
• clandestine
• unannounced
• covert
• unadvertised
• conspiratorial
• intimate
• collusive
• surreptitious
• undercover
• withheld
• underhanded
• underhand
• repressed
• concealed
• reserved
• suppressed
• revoked
• stifled
• retracted
• silenced
• recanted

2

as in unrestricted

freely available for use or participation by all

a public swimming pool

Synonyms & Similar Words

• open
• unrestricted
• communal
• collective
• shared
• free-for-all
• available
• accessible
• common
• free
• unregulated
• unreserved

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• private
• closed
• exclusive
• restricted
• limited
• off-limits
• inaccessible
• unavailable

3

as in national

of or relating to a nation

a trade agreement in the public interest

Synonyms & Similar Words

• national
• civil
• federal
• municipal
• civic
• governmental
• government
• internal
• democratic
• republican
• nationwide
• domestic
• intestine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• international
• global
• foreign
• nonnational
• external
• alien

4

as in general

held by or applicable to a majority of the people

public sentiment was against the war

Synonyms & Similar Words

• general
• prevailing
• popular
• overall
• unanimous
• majority
• common
• predominant
• received
• vulgar
• present
• current
• ruling
• usual
• universal
• contemporary
• dominant
• communal
• everyday
• widespread
• typical
• pop
• familiar
• characteristic
• household
• prevalent
• pervasive
• shared
• well-known
• preponderant
• rife
• pandemic

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• special
• uncommon
• unusual
• unknown
• rare
• private
• strange
• individual
• unpopular
• personal
• unique
• separate
• distinctive
• peculiar
• especial
• idiosyncratic
• singular
• nonpublic

5

as in collective

used or done by a number of people as a group

public transportation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• collective
• joint
• collaborative
• communal
• combined
• mutual
• shared
• cooperative
• concerted
• multiple
• united
• pooled
• common
• conjoint
• general
• reciprocal
• bilateral
• mass
• consensual
• conjunct
• generic
• synergistic
• symbiotic
• popular
• universal
• two-way
• synergic

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• individual
• private
• personal
• single
• exclusive
• sole
• one-man
• unilateral
• solitary
• several
• independent
• separate
• special
• one-sided
• one-way
• particular
• specialized
• esoteric

public

2 of 2

noun

1

as in world

human beings in general

a lecture open to the public

Synonyms & Similar Words

• world
• people
• humanity
• folks
• society
• species
• humankind
• community
• populace
• masses
• crowd
• rabble
• proletariat
• mob
• rabblement
• riffraff

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

• populace
• people
• crowd
• mass
• commons
• commoners
• mob
• millions
• multitude
• plebeians
• plebs
• rank and file
• herd
• cattle
• hoi polloi
• rabble
• proletariat
• unwashed
• trash
• rout
• riffraff
• scum
• bourgeoisie
• rabblement
• middle class
• ragtag and bobtail
• tag, rag, and bobtail

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• elite
• choice
• aristocracy
• pride
• flower
• elect
• cream
• fat
• upper crust
• pink
• society
• A-list
• best
• pick
• quality
• nobility
• royalty
• corps d'elite
• gentry
• peerage
• gentility
• patriciate
• gentlefolk
• haute monde

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of public

Adjective

Know More The dispute became public earlier this year as Washington sought to negotiate new health agreements with African governments that tied US assistance to commitments on health systems, data and other areas. — Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Brigadier General Christoph Huber attends a public ceremony to mark the expansion of Germany’s Lithuania military commitment on February 4, 2026 in Kaunas, Lithuania. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026

Noun

The Japanese public get the option of either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. — New Atlas, 23 Sep. 2026

By 1920, the group would raise $5 million from the American public, build 36 camp library buildings, and distribute more than 10 million books and magazines to soldiers stationed at 5,000 locations across the United States and Europe. — April White, JSTOR Daily, 23 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing public

• go public (with)
• public house
• public servant
• public speaking