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Populace is usually used to refer to all the people of a country. Thus, we're often told that an educated and informed populace is essential for a healthy American democracy. Franklin D. Roosevelt's famous radio "Fireside Chats" informed and reassured the American populace in the 1930s as we struggled through the Great Depression. We often hear about what "the general populace" is thinking or doing, but generalizing about something so huge can be tricky.
Examples of populace in a Sentence
The populace has suffered greatly.
high officials awkwardly mingling with the general populace
Recent Examples on the Web
In this case, the first task is to acquaint the local populace with the new part-owner and his significance before the franchise can capitalize on his worldwide stature in the sport.
—
Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 23 May 2025
Whether this research method is an adequate representation of the populace at large is an open question.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Most of the initiatives looked good on paper but were largely ignored by the populace.
—Arkansas Online, 10 May 2025
No one can say for sure how this is going to affect the populace on a near-term and long-term basis.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
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Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 23 May 2025
Whether this research method is an adequate representation of the populace at large is an open question.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Most of the initiatives looked good on paper but were largely ignored by the populace.
—Arkansas Online, 10 May 2025
No one can say for sure how this is going to affect the populace on a near-term and long-term basis.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for populace
Cite this Entry
“Populace.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/populace. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
populace
noun
pop·u·lace
ˈpäp-yə-ləs 
1
: the common people : masses
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