Synonyms

public opinion

American

noun

the collective opinion of many people on some issue, problem, etc., especially as a guide to action, decision, or the like.

public opinion British

noun

the attitude of the public, esp as a factor in determining the actions of government

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of public opinion

First recorded in 1560–70

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.

According to our research, public opinion in Idaho is more nuanced than the right-left divide suggests.

From Salon • Jun. 28, 2026

Under pressure from public opinion, Meloni had little choice.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 27, 2026

The ascendancy of AI, however, is not having the same effect on broader public opinion.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 27, 2026

A former Biden Cabinet secretary, state attorney general and longtime congressman from Los Angeles, Becerra had been wallowing in the low single-digits in public opinion polls less than three months ago.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026

Was the tide of public opinion slowly turning away from superstition and toward discovery?

From "The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science" by Joyce Sidman

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023