1
as in officials
a person who holds a public office
the new governor made a vow that he would always remember why he was called a public servant
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in civil servants
a worker in a government agency
concerned that the new federal agency would just add another slew of public servants to the government payroll
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of public servants
Thousands of public servants have been redirected from their usual responsibilities to World Cup duty.
—
Henry Grabar, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026
To be honest, this risk goes also to nurses, policemen, teachers, doctors, public servants.
—Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
None of the remaining candidates across either party have presented a compelling vision or demonstrated sufficient credibility and trustworthiness to inspire voter confidence, with all candidates appearing primarily as ambitious contenders rather than public servants.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
The school nurtured generations of students who went on to become educators, business leaders, public servants and community advocates.
—Danita R. Dehaney, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
Several House members noted the lasting impact the DHS shutdown will have on public servants.
—Arden Farhi, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
Sullivan noted there’s almost two dozen former public servants running for office this cycle and said the group is planning to put out their first round of endorsements within the next week or two.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 23 Mar. 2026
As public servants, your first loyalty should be to public school students whose parents cannot afford private schools even with a voucher.
—Arkansas Online, 16 Mar. 2026
But dismissing public servants as lazy, overpaid or uncaring ignores the reality of the people doing the work — and undermines our ability to attract the talent needed to govern well.
—John Atkinson, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
Henry Grabar, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026
To be honest, this risk goes also to nurses, policemen, teachers, doctors, public servants.
—Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
None of the remaining candidates across either party have presented a compelling vision or demonstrated sufficient credibility and trustworthiness to inspire voter confidence, with all candidates appearing primarily as ambitious contenders rather than public servants.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
The school nurtured generations of students who went on to become educators, business leaders, public servants and community advocates.
—Danita R. Dehaney, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
Several House members noted the lasting impact the DHS shutdown will have on public servants.
—Arden Farhi, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
Sullivan noted there’s almost two dozen former public servants running for office this cycle and said the group is planning to put out their first round of endorsements within the next week or two.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 23 Mar. 2026
As public servants, your first loyalty should be to public school students whose parents cannot afford private schools even with a voucher.
—Arkansas Online, 16 Mar. 2026
But dismissing public servants as lazy, overpaid or uncaring ignores the reality of the people doing the work — and undermines our ability to attract the talent needed to govern well.
—John Atkinson, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for public servants
Noun
-
Flanked by several clergy members of various denominations, Dolan, 76, thanked his former colleagues, as well as civic and community officials, before praising Jesus Christ for his lengthy career in the church.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
California officials have flatly refused.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
The best way to begin this journey is to bring people into this system by expanding Medicare to civil servants, military, police, and teachers.—
Rachel Royster
May 14,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 2026
-
On Wednesday Montana’s lieutenant governor Kristen Juras presented to a group of state lawmakers, civil servants, and a few members of the public on the legal status of corner crossing.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
After some counting—and the consulting of an Excel spreadsheet—the officers determined that Silvia and Guojun were the parents of twenty-one children in total, nearly all under the age of three.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
-
After a series of coups by officers dissatisfied with lagging counterterrorism efforts, juntas in the three countries booted France altogether, establishing close ties with Russia instead.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Sources close to SkyShowtime said Paramount’s WBD deal had created palpable uncertainty among employees, leading to speculation about how the mega-merger will affect SkyShowtime’s shareholder structure.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
15 May 2026
-
The layoffs do not affect its coffeehouse employees.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Congress should focus on lowering health care costs and expanding access in ways that help patients first, not big insurance companies or bureaucrats.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 2026
-
The entertainment industry doesn’t need California bureaucrats deciding which projects deserve subsidies, which studios are strategically important, or which business models should survive.—
Will Swaim,
Oc Register,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Alarmed by growing difficulties for skyway-level residents, workers and shop owners, Kehmeier joined forces with fellow skyway denizens to launch Friends of the Skyway in January.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
10 May 2026
-
Lately, a solid consumer has left retailers confident enough to hire more workers to stock shelves or staff cash registers.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Public servants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/public%20servants. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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