1
2
3
4
as in democratic
of, relating to, or favoring political democracy a truly popular revolution, not one that replaced one dictatorship with another

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

5
as in affordable
being within the financial means of most people from their inception, DVDs were designed to be sold directly to consumers at popular prices

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

6

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective popular contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of popular are common, familiar, ordinary, plain, and vulgar. While all these words mean "generally met with and not in any way special, strange, or unusual," popular applies to what is accepted by or prevalent among people in general sometimes in contrast to upper classes or special groups.

a writer of popular romances

When is it sensible to use common instead of popular?

While the synonyms common and popular are close in meaning, common implies usual everyday quality or frequency of occurrence and may additionally suggest inferiority or coarseness.

a common error
lacked common honesty
common manners

When would familiar be a good substitute for popular?

In some situations, the words familiar and popular are roughly equivalent. However, familiar stresses the fact of being generally known and easily recognized.

a familiar melody

When might ordinary be a better fit than popular?

While in some cases nearly identical to popular, ordinary stresses conformance in quality or kind with the regular order of things.

an ordinary pleasant summer day
a very ordinary sort of man

In what contexts can plain take the place of popular?

The words plain and popular can be used in similar contexts, but plain is likely to suggest homely simplicity.

plain hard-working people

How are the words vulgar and popular related?

Vulgar, otherwise similar to popular, is likely to carry derogatory connotations (as of inferiority or coarseness).

souvenirs designed to appeal to the vulgar taste

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 popular The highly successful and popular comedian, 61, has been an institution in late night TV for nearly three decades, starting in the weird world of sketch comedy and eventually making his way to a desk first occupied by the legendary David Letterman. Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 19 July 2025 More than a few movies and popular television medical dramas have featured a character having a heart attack. New Atlas, 19 July 2025 The concert featured songs from Wallen's latest album, along with popular tracks from his previous releases. Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 19 July 2025 Here’s what to know about the history of this popular seaside city and its residents. Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 8 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for popular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for popular
Adjective
  • Thumping techno drums roll in alongside the stabbing synth lead, which nods to the fashionable sound of the decade’s preferred flavor of techno, currently spearheaded by the likes of Charlotte de Witte and Sara Landry.
    Katie Bain, Billboard, 23 July 2025
  • The Bicester Collection was among those early visionaries embedding emotion, atmosphere, and local nuance into its villages long before experiential retail became fashionable.
    Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • The Male Opportunity Here’s where conventional understanding of resale may miss the mark: men are driving resale adoption more aggressively than women.
    Kristen Classi-Zummo, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
  • This means the country's Royal Air Force could join NATO's dual capable aircraft fleet, featuring jets certified to carry American tactical nuclear weapons as well as conventional bombs and missiles.
    Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • Credit card debt in general has seen fresh highs in the years following the pandemic, as inflationary pressures and stagnant wage growth have caused many Americans to look to consumer debt to fill the gaps.
    Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
  • Claire Wilkinson, the general counsel for the School District, showed board members the two AI policies.
    Edward McKinnon, Arkansas Online, 25 July 2025
Adjective
  • Walker, who was governor from 2011 to 2019 when Democratic Gov. Tony Evers defeated his bid for a third term, has made a series of posts on X signaling interest in a potential new bid for the governor.
    Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 26 July 2025
  • Most people in the racially diverse, heavily Democratic state capital of Tallahassee now have a white congressman living 100 miles away in Panama City.
    Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2025
Adjective
  • By creating more affordable establishments, Fine-Drawn was able to deliver its concepts to a wider audience.
    Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 21 July 2025
  • Then keep scrolling for more affordable denim picks ahead.
    Jeaneen Russell, People.com, 20 July 2025
Adjective
  • Prospect Capital is now the cheapest BDC on the market, trading at just 46% of NAV.
    Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
  • For years, the equation seemed simple: look for the cheapest fare, even if the trip was mediocre.
    Wilson Santiago Burgos, USA Today, 20 July 2025
Adjective
  • Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.
    Nick Romano, EW.com, 27 July 2025
  • Save your favorite Better Homes & Gardens recipes in one place using MyRecipes.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 July 2025
Adjective
  • As usual, Trump did most of the talking, but Rutte was clearly on board and confirmed key details.
    Daniel Fried, Time, 15 July 2025
  • For deeper repair, apply generously as an overnight scalp and hair mask, then wash and style as usual the next day.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 15 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Popular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/popular. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on popular

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!