publicly

adverb

pub·​lic·​ly ˈpə-bli-klē How to pronounce publicly (audio)
variants or less commonly publically
ˈpə-bli-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce publicly (audio)
Synonyms of publiclynext
1
: in a manner observable by or in a place accessible to the public : openly
2
a
: by the people generally
b
: by a government

Examples of publicly in a Sentence

She very publicly acknowledged her mistake. The information is publicly available. The policies have been publicly approved.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Kim Aris, the London son of former Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, said he was allowed a 20-minute phone call from the Nobel Peace Prize winner detained in her native country and who has not been seen publicly in five years. — Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026 Smallwood attacks Nick’s virility, saying he’ll be publicly humiliated when his wife has to bail him out again in court. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026 The board will also calculate the amount of wealth subject to the tax using publicly available stock information and private assessments of personal property, such as artwork and jewelry. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 Cofer is criticizing Guerra’s absence from the vote and is asking him to publicly state his position on the partnership. — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for publicly

Word History

Etymology

public entry 1 + -ly entry 2

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of publicly was in 1534

Rhymes for publicly

See All Rhymes for publicly

Browse Nearby Words

public library
publicly
public member
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Publicly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/publicly. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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