Synonyms of public

public 1 of 2

adjective

ˈpə-blik 

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

• open
• general
• broadcast
• publicized
• shared
• widespread
• aired
• communal
• on record
• popular
• prevalent
• current
• published
• unclassified
• nonclassified
• well-known
• disclosed
• advertised
• posted
• declared
• announced
• proclaimed
• rumored
• heralded
• promulgated
• reported
• rife
• divulged
• reputed
• spotlighted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• private
• confidential
• secret
• privy
• classified
• personal
• undisclosed
• clandestine
• unannounced
• covert
• unadvertised
• conspiratorial
• intimate
• collusive
• surreptitious
• undercover
• withheld
• underhanded
• underhand
• repressed
• concealed
• reserved
• suppressed
• revoked
• stifled
• retracted
• silenced
• recanted

2

as in unrestricted

freely available for use or participation by all

a public swimming pool

Synonyms & Similar Words

• open
• unrestricted
• communal
• collective
• shared
• free-for-all
• available
• accessible
• common
• free
• unregulated
• unreserved

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• private
• closed
• exclusive
• restricted
• limited
• off-limits
• inaccessible
• unavailable

3

as in national

of or relating to a nation

a trade agreement in the public interest

Synonyms & Similar Words

• national
• civil
• federal
• municipal
• civic
• governmental
• government
• internal
• democratic
• republican
• nationwide
• domestic
• intestine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• international
• global
• foreign
• nonnational
• external
• alien

4

as in general

held by or applicable to a majority of the people

public sentiment was against the war

Synonyms & Similar Words

• general
• prevailing
• popular
• overall
• unanimous
• majority
• common
• predominant
• received
• vulgar
• present
• current
• ruling
• usual
• universal
• contemporary
• dominant
• communal
• everyday
• widespread
• typical
• pop
• familiar
• characteristic
• household
• prevalent
• pervasive
• shared
• well-known
• preponderant
• rife
• pandemic

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• special
• uncommon
• unusual
• unknown
• rare
• private
• strange
• individual
• unpopular
• personal
• unique
• separate
• distinctive
• peculiar
• especial
• idiosyncratic
• singular
• nonpublic

5

as in collective

used or done by a number of people as a group

public transportation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• collective
• joint
• collaborative
• communal
• combined
• mutual
• shared
• cooperative
• concerted
• multiple
• united
• pooled
• common
• conjoint
• general
• reciprocal
• bilateral
• mass
• consensual
• conjunct
• generic
• synergistic
• symbiotic
• popular
• universal
• two-way
• synergic

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• individual
• private
• personal
• single
• exclusive
• sole
• one-man
• unilateral
• solitary
• several
• independent
• separate
• special
• one-sided
• one-way
• particular
• specialized
• esoteric

public

2 of 2

noun

1

as in world

human beings in general

a lecture open to the public

Synonyms & Similar Words

• world
• people
• humanity
• folks
• society
• species
• humankind
• community
• populace
• masses
• crowd
• rabble
• proletariat
• mob
• rabblement
• riffraff

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

• populace
• people
• crowd
• mass
• commons
• commoners
• mob
• millions
• multitude
• plebeians
• plebs
• rank and file
• herd
• cattle
• hoi polloi
• rabble
• proletariat
• unwashed
• trash
• rout
• riffraff
• tagrag and bobtail
• scum
• bourgeoisie
• rabblement
• middle class
• ragtag and bobtail
• tag, rag, and bobtail

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• elite
• choice
• aristocracy
• pride
• elect
• flower
• cream
• fat
• upper crust
• pink
• society
• A-list
• best
• pick
• quality
• nobility
• royalty
• corps d'elite
• gentry
• peerage
• gentility
• patriciate
• gentlefolk
• gentlefolks
• haute monde

Examples of public in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

EchoStar had just $521 million in cash and cash equivalents and marketable investment securities as of June 30 and forecast negative cash flows for the remainder of 2024, according to public filings. —Alex Sherman, CNBC, 27 Sep. 2024

There have also been arguments that having more daylight hours benefits public safety and health. —Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 27 Sep. 2024

Noun

The group also resisted calls for an international investigation of the incident, much to the chagrin of the Lebanese public. —Nicole Narea, Vox, 18 Sep. 2024

In March 1976, a great American portrait debuted to an adoring public. —Patrick Sauer, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Sep. 2024

Phrases Containing public

• go public (with)
• public house
• public servant
• public speaking