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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Recent Examples of public
Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
As North Texas prepares to host thousands of international visitors for the World Cup, many travelers may be unfamiliar with Texas alcohol laws — particularly rules on driving, public drinking and intoxication.
—Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026
Such a commission would force a public reckoning with the facts, the trade-offs, and the hard choices that restoring fiscal health requires.
—Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for public
Adjective
The bridge will be available for public use on April 1, a few years after Zeller initially wanted to finish the project.
—Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
As North Texas prepares to host thousands of international visitors for the World Cup, many travelers may be unfamiliar with Texas alcohol laws — particularly rules on driving, public drinking and intoxication.
—Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
The missiles startled an Israeli public that has endured comparatively few casualties in recent weeks thanks to the country’s formidable air defenses, frequently tested across many years by rockets from militant groups Hezbollah and Hamas.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026
Such a commission would force a public reckoning with the facts, the trade-offs, and the hard choices that restoring fiscal health requires.
—Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for public
Recent Examples of Synonyms for public
Adjective
-
For example, its Multi-tab Context Awareness feature combines key information from open tabs into a summary.—
James Peckham,
PC Magazine,
26 Mar. 2026
-
According to the county, the goals and objectives of the Ag Reserve include preserving agriculture, enhancing environmental resource value and open space, creating a functional, sustainable development pattern and minimizing costs to taxpayers.—
Abigail Hasebroock,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Each fellowship is accompanied by a $75,000 unrestricted grant.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Assuming there will be a cap on the amount of unrestricted free agents a team can select, the Fire and Tempo will be looking for players in the bargain bins.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Orr hired Campbell away from Oregon, where the coach’s mastery in recruiting helped boost the Ducks to national prominence.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The confident bunch remains focused on its ultimate goal, winning the program's first national championship.—
Ryan Baker,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
He was held at the Martin County Jail, though not with the general population.—
Melissa Gaffney,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The all-volunteer Planning Commission considers matters related to land-use planning and development, implements the city’s general plan, reviews development applications and serves as an intermediary between the public and the City Council.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Someone else did — and the internet lost its collective mind.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Around City Hall Station and Seoul Plaza, large screens drew dense crowds into a collective viewing experience—people watching the same feed, reacting together.—
Yook JiHun,
Popular Science,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
That is not, of course, a reason not to leave your room and go forth and explore the outside world.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Finnish native Margareta Martin brought enthusiasm and skillful organizing following a move to Atlanta, a dynamic that helped establish a wide variety of cultural, business, artistic and culinary links between the Nordic world and here.—
Mark Woolsey,
AJC.com,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The crocodile’s rare appearance represented a disheartening degradation but a hopeful sign of what the Niger Delta, if salvaged, can still become — an eco-diverse paradise akin to the Amazon or Costa Rica, that feeds its populace and attracts foreign visitors wanting to witness nature’s glory.—
Noo Saro-Wiwa,
The Dial,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The seeming absoluteness of scientific thinking may predispose many medical practitioners or public health workers to assume the populace trust them, that evidential claims naturally validate interventions — no further Q&A needed.—
Cory Anderson,
STAT,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Cuba’s government displayed on the broadcast nautical maps to show where the Pro-Line was spotted, its route through Cuban waters and the location where the shooting occurred.—
David Smiley,
Miami Herald,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The broadcast episode of In Depth with Graham Bensinger debuts in syndication across the United States this weekend.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Public.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/public. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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