public opinion

NOUN

common belief

Synonyms

WEAK

climate of opinion community sentiment consensus gentium conventional wisdom general belief group pressure popular belief prevailing belief prevailing sentiment public belief social pressure special-interest pressure vox pop vox populi

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.

There are no political public opinion polls in Cuba.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2026

And it’s quickly gaining momentum at a time when viral images of war can shape public opinion.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

They had just fought a civil war over slavery, but Chinese immigration comes to be portrayed in the national press and in public opinion over time as unfree immigration.

From Slate • Mar. 16, 2026

"This can have effects that range from influencing public opinion on a major issue, like whether or not a country should engage in conflict, to impacting financial markets."

From Barron's • Mar. 9, 2026

The abolitionists were brilliant at using advertising and marketing to turn public opinion against slavery.

From "Sugar Changed the World: A Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom, and Science" by Marc Aronson