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
Kris Millgate, Outdoor Life, 6 Feb. 2026
Sources familiar with internal Academy operations tell Variety that Davidson is well regarded among the current Board of Governors and maintains strong professional relationships with senior leadership, an asset as the Academy continues to grow its public engagement and digital strategy.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 Feb. 2026
Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2026
Its mission is not to indulge existing tastes but to challenge them—to create a certain kind of person and, thereby, a certain kind of public.
—Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for public
Adjective
The hunt was opened to public, DIY hunting in 2020.
—Kris Millgate, Outdoor Life, 6 Feb. 2026
Sources familiar with internal Academy operations tell Variety that Davidson is well regarded among the current Board of Governors and maintains strong professional relationships with senior leadership, an asset as the Academy continues to grow its public engagement and digital strategy.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
Who advances in the competition and the winner of the series are determined by votes from the viewing public.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2026
Its mission is not to indulge existing tastes but to challenge them—to create a certain kind of person and, thereby, a certain kind of public.
—Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for public
Recent Examples of Synonyms for public
Adjective
-
But Benito — along with all Angelenos — has an open invitation to try them at Fuegos LA.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Customers have taken to social media platforms for days to complain about things like lack of overhead bin space and not being allowed to switch seats, even when there are plenty open.—
Dallas Morning News,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The Panthers have 18 unrestricted free agents, a list that includes three offensive linemen, two specialists and a 1,000-yard rusher.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
During the evening, Maed Beauty founder Denise Vasi received an unrestricted $100,000 Sephora Beauty Grant.—
Caché McClay,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
During a government shutdown, all federal functions necessary for public safety, national security and protecting government property may continue, though employees work without pay.—
Riley Beggin,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The release of the two immigrants — and a third set free earlier Thursday in the same courthouse by another judge — is part of a national trend.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Though framed as a request for information, Levine’s letter signals that Florida’s campaign against accrediting bodies — once focused on general university oversight — is expanding into medicine, one of the most tightly regulated sectors of higher education.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The second would be how friendly people are along King Drive in general.—
Kynala Phillips,
jsonline.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Lamont now wants to reduce the new tax hike from $375 million to $100 million while preserving the plan passed last year to boost payments to hospitals by $140 million annually, netting the hospitals a collective $40 million a year.—
Katy Golvala,
Hartford Courant,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The number is calculated by a formula laid out in the most recent collective-bargaining agreement between the NFL and the NFL Players Association.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In a world full of noise, his images ask for something quiet.—
Derek James,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
In Remy Bumppo Theatre Company’s new production of Henrik Ibsen’s 1891 play, directed by Marti Lyons, the design team takes this line to heart, using a monochrome purple palette to represent Hedda’s claustrophobic world (scenic design by Joe Schermoly).—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In Ukraine, besides sleet and snow, the daily forecast includes drones and missiles raining down on the war-weary populace.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Neither of the first two games was overly competitive, although the local populace had no problem with the result of the first one.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
An impressive 86 Grammys will be handed out pre-broadcast.—
Maria Sherman,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Framed as a broadcast true crime documentary made after Salazar’s trial, this brilliant lo-fi effort enlists several more talking heads to balance out the whodunnit.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Public.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/public. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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