public 1 of 2

adjective

ˈpə-blik How to pronounce public (audio)
Definition of publicnext
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

public

2 of 2

noun

1
as in world
human beings in general a lecture open to the public

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

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.
Recent Examples of public
Adjective
Galliano also emphasized that an exhibition or other public recognition could not substitute for accountability, describing atonement as an ongoing responsibility. — Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 31 Aug. 2026 This deal was clearly arrived at in secrecy, with no public debate, and signed under duress. — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
Noun
Carney became prime minister by selling the Canadian public on his experience as a technocratic economic policymaker and former central banker who knows how to operate on the world stage. — Desiree Adib, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026 Remmick, Jimmy Crystal and Larry Lamb share an unrelenting desire to entertain, whether performing music outside a juke joint, indulging amusement with graphic violence or delighting the British reading public with scandal and drama. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for public
Recent Examples of Synonyms for public
  1. open
  2. unrestricted
  3. national
  4. general
  5. collective
  6. world
  7. populace
  8. broadcast
Adjective
  • Not only did the limited library cards and shirts go fast, the whole rotunda reached legal capacity in just 20 minutes post-doors open time.
    — Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The investigation into Lucas had been open since the Biden administration, the New York Times previously reported.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of open
Adjective
  • TickTalk’s approach is communication first, safety always, with less screen time and fewer distractions than a smartphone with social media, games, and unrestricted internet access.
    — Jon Stojan, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Last June, Shara signed a decree permitting foreign investors full ownership rights in most sectors, an unrestricted ability to repatriate their profits, and extensive tax and customs concessions.
    — Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of unrestricted
Adjective
  • The national flags of China and New Zealand flutter at Tian'anmen Square on June 19, 2025 in Beijing, China.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Asking this team to go out and win a national title might be a bridge too far, but Florida was a darkhorse Playoff contender this time a year ago.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of national
Adjective
  • Shelley served as the Warriors’ associate general counsel and director of business and legal affairs and risk management, and Vasquez was the vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion.
    — Devon Henderson, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The Israel Defense Forces captured Hamas' head of general security during a raid in Gaza, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said.
    — Anders Hagstrom, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of general
Adjective
  • Until there is a method to identify CTE in a living brain, the results of the collective efforts to make football safer won’t be known for another 15 to 20 years.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Gal Gadot aside, the most prominent version of Wonder Woman etched in our collective cultural memory—the one from the classic comic strips and the TV series starring Lynda Carter—features her pointed tiara with a central red star.
    — Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of collective
Noun
  • With new digital imaging techniques, astronomers were able to spot a new and tiny world orbiting 4 billion miles beyond Neptune.
    — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Once these new worlds are spotted by Roman, the more powerful and sensitive Webb will take aim to fill in the blanks.
    — Marcia Dunn, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of world
Noun
  • China also hopes to encourage more citizens to exercise, thereby making an aging populace more active and reducing strain on the health system.
    — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2026
  • This is where the irrationality of antisemitic conspiracy gains no purchase among a reasoning and pragmatic populace; where government is led by people who grasp, and embrace, the seriousness of their responsibilities.
    — Rory Lancman, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of populace
Adjective
  • Federal prohibition still locks plant-touching brands out of Meta, Google, most broadcast and print channels, and, sometimes, even basic financial plumbing.
    — Peter Su, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • In separate filings, both media outlets raised questions as to the validity of the NFL’s broadcast antitrust exemption, a provision established under the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of broadcast

Phrases Containing public

Browse Nearby Words

pub crawlers
public
publication
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Public.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/public. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on public

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about public

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All