1
as in hotels
a place that provides rooms and usually a public dining room for overnight guests
took lodging at a public house that had recently been completely renovated
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in pubs
chiefly British
a place of business where alcoholic beverages are sold to be consumed on the premises
visited a public house in London that has been welcoming customers since the time of Charles Dickens
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of public houses
This provoked what became known as the Aston Riot, with nearby public houses wrecked and violent brawls ensuing.
—
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2026
The Lone Goat This English pub, which draws inspiration from public houses and taverns of London, is on the ground floor of the historic Metropolitan Building in downtown Detroit.
—Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2026
The Lone Goat This English pub, which draws inspiration from public houses and taverns of London, is on the ground floor of the historic Metropolitan Building in downtown Detroit.
—Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for public houses
Noun
-
While many international hotels in town have served as training grounds for international hospitality students, the staff here is almost entirely Chinese.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
-
As anyone familiar with East Tennessee knows, black bears wandering through Gatlinburg neighborhoods, parking lots and hotels is hardly unusual this time of year.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
Noun
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But people are also doing it in pubs as well, and everyone’s up having to sing.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
13 May 2026
-
Many blocks inside what is called the old town are closed to vehicles, so pedestrians can easily meander in and out cafes, pubs and shops.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
There are heaps of hotels, hostels, and homestays in Hạ Long for around $15 a night.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Look for places with reliable public transit, hostels and walkable city centers — that infrastructure makes navigating alone way easier.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Keep in mind that despite the significance of the date of July 4, 1776, royalists and republicans had been arguing in print, pamphlets, taverns and on town greens long before 1776.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
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As the vessel toured Baja California, Diana Sanders of Vacaville sampled tequila shots — 14 or 15 in total — from six ship taverns, tequileras and pubs, according to court documents.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Beyond the cattle drives, the Stockyards are home to rodeos, Western saloons and live music venues.—
Taylor Haught,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Soon after, the area became a hub with saloons, butchers, bakeries and department stores.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Locals are happy to regale you with tales of family squabbles and fishing exploits at any of the seaside watering holes.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
2 May 2026
-
Nowadays, old-school residents bemoan the neighborhood’s evolution from grungy to grandiose; what was once a warren of hedonism has become a breeding ground for characterless watering holes whose lack of personality is bested only by the exorbitance of their beer prices.—
Dan Stahl,
New Yorker,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Simultaneously bars, and the most snide a contestant has been to the judges in a while.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
12 May 2026
-
Install grab bars in your bathroom by the toilet and in the tub or shower.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
At the time of the killing, there had been at least five shootings so far this year inside city nightclubs and lounges in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens that left eight people wounded and two dead.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
13 May 2026
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Cabins under nightclubs or late-night bars can pick up bass vibrations that continue into the early hours.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Public houses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/public%20houses. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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