1
as in officials
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in civil servants
a worker in a government agency
concerned that the new federal agency would just add another slew of public servants to the government payroll
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of public servants
Many public servants live and work in the capital city, Wellington.
—
ABC News, 18 May 2026
Thousands of public servants have been redirected from their usual responsibilities to World Cup duty.
—Henry Grabar, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026
To be honest, this risk goes also to nurses, policemen, teachers, doctors, public servants.
—Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
None of the remaining candidates across either party have presented a compelling vision or demonstrated sufficient credibility and trustworthiness to inspire voter confidence, with all candidates appearing primarily as ambitious contenders rather than public servants.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
The school nurtured generations of students who went on to become educators, business leaders, public servants and community advocates.
—Danita R. Dehaney, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
Several House members noted the lasting impact the DHS shutdown will have on public servants.
—Arden Farhi, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
Sullivan noted there’s almost two dozen former public servants running for office this cycle and said the group is planning to put out their first round of endorsements within the next week or two.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 23 Mar. 2026
As public servants, your first loyalty should be to public school students whose parents cannot afford private schools even with a voucher.
—Arkansas Online, 16 Mar. 2026
ABC News, 18 May 2026
Thousands of public servants have been redirected from their usual responsibilities to World Cup duty.
—Henry Grabar, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026
To be honest, this risk goes also to nurses, policemen, teachers, doctors, public servants.
—Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
None of the remaining candidates across either party have presented a compelling vision or demonstrated sufficient credibility and trustworthiness to inspire voter confidence, with all candidates appearing primarily as ambitious contenders rather than public servants.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
The school nurtured generations of students who went on to become educators, business leaders, public servants and community advocates.
—Danita R. Dehaney, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
Several House members noted the lasting impact the DHS shutdown will have on public servants.
—Arden Farhi, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
Sullivan noted there’s almost two dozen former public servants running for office this cycle and said the group is planning to put out their first round of endorsements within the next week or two.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 23 Mar. 2026
As public servants, your first loyalty should be to public school students whose parents cannot afford private schools even with a voucher.
—Arkansas Online, 16 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for public servants
Noun
-
Flanked by several clergy members of various denominations, Dolan, 76, thanked his former colleagues, as well as civic and community officials, before praising Jesus Christ for his lengthy career in the church.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
California officials have flatly refused.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
The best way to begin this journey is to bring people into this system by expanding Medicare to civil servants, military, police, and teachers.—
Rachel Royster
May 14,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 2026
-
On Wednesday Montana’s lieutenant governor Kristen Juras presented to a group of state lawmakers, civil servants, and a few members of the public on the legal status of corner crossing.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
When officers arrived, Forest Hill police were already on scene and found a passenger in a vehicle with a gunshot wound, police said.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 May 2026
-
Roberto Schmidt / Getty Images Multiple uniformed division officers, including at least one stationed in a cruiser outside the White House security checkpoint, returned fire and killed the gunman, law enforcement sources said.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
The addition is expected to expand access to around 125 more students and 30 employees over seven years.—
Kate Perez,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
-
The closure will affect 205 employees at the New Britain Facility, Gravalec wrote.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
The Empire is full of bickering bureaucrats, which is fun to watch though bad for getting the Death Star done in a timely manner, and Darth Vader power walks into scenes that both undermine his icon status yet also cement it.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
-
The system may also be more efficient, as more money goes directly to the people who need it rather than bureaucrats or nonprofit workers.—
Allison Schrager,
Twin Cities,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
While teachers unions have gotten the most attention, the law also affects many other public sector unions, including those that represent bus drivers, janitors, cafeteria workers and maintenance workers.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
24 May 2026
-
As workers and retirees decide where to live, states that have low tax and regulatory burdens, targeted relief, and stronger budget discipline tend to gain residents, income, and reduce costs for families.—
Nicole Huyer,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Public servants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/public%20servants. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
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