public servant

Definition of public servantnext
1
as in official
a person who holds a public office the new governor made a vow that he would always remember why he was called a public servant

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2
as in civil servant
a worker in a government agency concerned that the new federal agency would just add another slew of public servants to the government payroll

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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 servant Woods was charged in Jefferson County Court in January 2025 with forgery, attempting to influence a public servant, perjury, and cybercrime. Alan Gionet, CBS News, 23 June 2026 Woods pleaded guilty to committing a cybercrime, perjury, attempting to influence a public servant and forgery. Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 23 June 2026 What many people don’t know is that an earlier and more obscure stint during the administration of President Gerald Ford shaped him as a public servant. Paul Wachtel, The Conversation, 23 June 2026 Both were released on bond from of the Osceola County Jail shortly after surrendering to authorities there on charges of grand theft, defrauding to obtain property, falsifying public records and falsifying official documents as public servants. Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for public servant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for public servant
Noun
  • The agreement also didn't lead to market opportunities for the United States in Canada and Mexico in dairy and other sectors as was expected, officials said.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • The city said replacement parts have been ordered and officials hope to reopen the pool before the end of July.
    Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 2 July 2026
Noun
  • The more Alois Hitler pushed him toward a civil servant career, the more Adolf aspired to become an artist.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 June 2026
  • Many other civil servants have thought through this process themselves.
    Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • His behavior under stress is dangerous to his officers and crew, and his authority is questioned.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026
  • Some relief workers are using donkeys and bulldozers to remove solid waste, according to Louise Wateridge, a communications officer for the UN’s children’s agency in the Middle East and North Africa.
    Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Noun
  • The city clerk is responsible for maintaining government records while assisting the mayor and City Council with administrative duties inside and outside council meetings.
    Zaire Breedlove, Charlotte Observer, 3 July 2026
  • The state this year abolished the job of the New Orleans criminal court clerk — merging it with another court clerk position.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • The jail’s administrator did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday night.
    Dennis Romero, NBC news, 30 June 2026
  • Jail administrators and multiple law enforcement agencies were working toward a quick, peaceful resolution and restoration of full control of the jail.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
Noun
  • In May, the EEOC filed a discrimination lawsuit against the New York Times alleging discrimination against a white male employee, which the Times has rejected as politically motivated.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • Others said employees should come into the office and experience what could be one of Atlanta’s most significant moments on the global stage.
    Carson Bonner, AJC.com, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • And as many companies continue to prioritize in-person workers for promotions, this gap will likely widen even further over time.
    Colleen Batchelder, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • But this year, the union, which covers nine bargaining units and represents nearly 100,000 state workers, is not currently scheduled to receive a raise this summer.
    William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • Giving the president more direct control over who serves on those bodies has long been a goal of conservatives, who have objected to unelected bureaucrats wielding too much power with little accountability.
    Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 29 June 2026
  • The Bay Area was handed, unquestionably, the worst slate of group-stage games FIFA’s bureaucrats could manifest — five equivalents of a Tuesday night MACtion football game in a November blizzard.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 26 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Public servant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/public%20servant. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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