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
Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2026
Where health insurance is concerned, the result is an escalation of the already despicable situation forced on patients by a lack of public insurance option (owing in no small part to commercial insurance giants themselves).
—Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 2 Apr. 2026
Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2026
But the broader public likely knows little about this type of task force, which is revered in the military for its power, speed and agility.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for public
Adjective
Cipriani’s record includes a guilty plea two decades ago for insurance fraud during a stint as a public adjuster for policyholders, and a brief detention around the same time for domestic violence after a fight with a former live-in girlfriend.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2026
Where health insurance is concerned, the result is an escalation of the already despicable situation forced on patients by a lack of public insurance option (owing in no small part to commercial insurance giants themselves).
—Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
The Iran war is unpopular with the American public, according to several polls.
—Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2026
But the broader public likely knows little about this type of task force, which is revered in the military for its power, speed and agility.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for public
Recent Examples of Synonyms for public
Adjective
-
The challenge is not to retreat from circulation, but to insist that circulation be thought through, grounded in specific places and their conditions, and accountable, open to friction, contamination, and transformation rather than insulated coherence.—
Manuela Moscoso,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
-
When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 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
-
These events require enormous investments of time, money, space, and collective labor.—
Raphael Fonseca,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
-
This collective effort would make substantial change.—
Letters to the Editor,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Even when there is little to celebrate in a world marked by barbarity, these events invite us to be together and, briefly, to look, feel, admire, and even disagree within a temporary gathering of images and spaces.—
Raphael Fonseca,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Skeletor’s best beats stand as intricate, explosive little worlds that build on ideas he’s been toying with his entire career.—
Dylan Green,
Pitchfork,
1 Apr. 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 3 Apr. 2026.
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