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as in democratic
of, relating to, or favoring political democracy a truly popular revolution, not one that replaced one dictatorship with another

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in affordable
being within the financial means of most people from their inception, DVDs were designed to be sold directly to consumers at popular prices

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective popular contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of popular are common, familiar, ordinary, plain, and vulgar. While all these words mean "generally met with and not in any way special, strange, or unusual," popular applies to what is accepted by or prevalent among people in general sometimes in contrast to upper classes or special groups.

a writer of popular romances

When is it sensible to use common instead of popular?

While the synonyms common and popular are close in meaning, common implies usual everyday quality or frequency of occurrence and may additionally suggest inferiority or coarseness.

a common error
lacked common honesty
common manners

When would familiar be a good substitute for popular?

In some situations, the words familiar and popular are roughly equivalent. However, familiar stresses the fact of being generally known and easily recognized.

a familiar melody

When might ordinary be a better fit than popular?

While in some cases nearly identical to popular, ordinary stresses conformance in quality or kind with the regular order of things.

an ordinary pleasant summer day
a very ordinary sort of man

In what contexts can plain take the place of popular?

The words plain and popular can be used in similar contexts, but plain is likely to suggest homely simplicity.

plain hard-working people

How are the words vulgar and popular related?

Vulgar, otherwise similar to popular, is likely to carry derogatory connotations (as of inferiority or coarseness).

souvenirs designed to appeal to the vulgar taste

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 popular There’s something just so alluring about red hair, which is why celebrity hair colorist Jacob Schwartz, who counts the likes of Margot Robbie, Brie Larson, and Sydney Sweeney as regular clientele, says that vibrant hues of this popular hair color will continue to be huge for spring. Audrey Noble, Vogue, 25 Feb. 2025 This popular five-minute mindfulness journal has five prompts each day: three for the morning and two for the evening. Kristin Canning, SELF, 25 Feb. 2025 No wonder it’s won several Korean beauty accolades, including first place in the popular beauty review app Hwahae’s 2024 Beauty Awards. Devon Abelman, Allure, 11 Feb. 2025 The policy proved popular among voters polled across the political spectrum, but the focus has often been on deporting those with criminal histories. Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for popular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for popular
Adjective
  • The hotel’s fashionable twist on afternoon tea debuts this weekend serving up runway-to-teatime transformations that are equal parts couture and confection.
    Ritu Upadhyay, WWD, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Following in mom Victoria Beckham's fashionable footsteps, Romeo Beckham attends Milan Fashion Week in stylish streetwear on Feb. 27.
    Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Its imposing size and dramatic silhouette should, according to conventional design wisdom, limit its range.
    Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 28 Feb. 2025
  • More importantly, Lara wants women to embrace their bodies’ natural processes rather than feel pressured to conform to societal expectations or follow conventional paths that don’t seem to be working in their favor.
    Allison Palmer, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The Mavericks have endured a number of injuries to their roster, and the loss of Dončić is something no one saw coming due to the ownership and general manager Nico Harrison.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
  • These three new books explore such decelerations, and seek to move from urbanism toward a more general political philosophy.
    Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Calls for Oversight Democratic lawmakers appear to see an opening amid the debate.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
  • On Wednesday, the U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will put Johnson and three other Democratic mayors in the hot seat, where GOP members will try to score political points off them over their respective laws blocking local police from assisting in immigration enforcement.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The widespread impact of the fires, which displaced tens of thousands of people in an area with a severe shortage of affordable housing, created an extraordinary need for government services.
    Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Some buyers bet on potential regulatory changes to the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019, while others focused on converting units to affordable housing and leasing to voucher tenants.
    Shimon Shkury, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • James said Costco is more interested in providing a good value to its customers than a cheap price.
    Nicolas Vega, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Tickets for adults range from $42 for a day pass to $98 for three days, with cheaper prices for ages 13 and younger.
    Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Clarkson dropped her all-time favorite designs on Wayfair, including floral accent chairs, storage-friendly bookcases, and more stylish yet functional pieces.
    Megan Schaltegger, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Wondering when and where your favorite team is playing next?
    David Ammenheuser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • As usual, Soderbergh edits in style using his Mary Ann Bernard pseudonym and his Peter Andrews pseudonym as well for the fine cinematography.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Agencies that have already received funding approval or operate on a permanent funding basis would continue to operate as usual.
    Nik Popli, TIME, 6 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Popular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/popular. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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