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Definitions

public

[puhb-lik] / ˈpʌb lɪk /
ADJECTIVE
community, general
Synonyms
STRONGEST
civic civil communal governmental mutual national popular social universal urban
STRONG
city common country federal free government metropolitan open state
WEAK
accessible conjoint conjunct free to all intermutual municipal not private open door unrestricted widespread without charge
Antonyms
STRONGEST
local private unshared
WEAK
particular specific unknown
ADJECTIVE
known, acknowledged
Synonyms
STRONGEST
overt popular social
STRONG
general open patent plain
WEAK
exposed in circulation notorious obvious prevalent published recognized societal usual vulgar widespread
Antonyms
STRONGEST
private
STRONG
abnormal ambiguous definite extraordinary hidden unclear uncommon vague
WEAK
particular specific unknown
NOUN
people of community; people interested in something
Synonyms
STRONGEST
audience community country electorate everyone nation people populace population society
STRONG
bodies buyers citizens clientele commonalty followers following heads masses mob multitude patrons suite supporters voters
WEAK
men and women

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Jean’s brief fling during the summer of 1998 coincided with the public airing of Monica’s doomed romance.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

The United States has a public health crisis on its hands.

From Salon • Apr. 22, 2026

Last week, Rosenior received public and private backing from the club's hierarchy but on Wednesday none was forthcoming from BBC sources.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

The chancellor, who took power in May last year, promised to revive the economy through huge public outlays on defence and infrastructure and a barrage of reforms.

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

She could not escape public interest in her life or the pain of missing Elisha.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Vocabulary lists containing public

"Seeking Freedom"

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Selection Vocabulary 1, Unit 2

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"CLEP Financial Accounting," Vocabulary from Chapter 5

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