townsfolk

plural noun

towns·​folk ˈtau̇nz-ˌfōk How to pronounce townsfolk (audio)
Synonyms of townsfolknext
: townspeople

Examples of townsfolk in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Soon the village doctor is found murdered and the townsfolk turn on the boy, leaving the stranger as his only hope. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026 There’s no excuse for wheeling in some talkative NPC just to explain why the townsfolk are acting skittish. — Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026 Maeve’s a fish out of water and sneers at all the townsfolk, except for one pretty boy (Costa D’Angelo). — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026 But arguably the script by Jones and director Brunner might have been a skoosh more impactful if the small-minded townsfolk, clearly coded as bigoted MAGA types, weren’t quite so hateful with only a few exceptions. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for townsfolk

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of townsfolk was in 1592

Rhymes for townsfolk

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Browse Nearby Words

Townsendia
townsfolk
township
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Townsfolk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/townsfolk. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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