Copyright © Philip M. Parker, INSEAD. Terms of Use.
Definition: Public Opinion |
Public OpinionNoun1. A belief or sentiment shared by most people; the voice of the people; "he asked for a poll of public opinion". Source: WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved. |
| Domain | Definition |
Health | The attitude of a significant portion of a population toward any given proposition, based upon a measurable amount of factual evidence, and involving some degree of reflection, analysis, and reasoning. (references) |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |
(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)
Public opinion is influenced by public relations and the political media.
It is frequently measured using the method of survey sampling.
Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Public opinion."
Synonyms: Public OpinionSynonyms: opinion (n), popular opinion (n), vox populi (n). (additional references) |
| Context | Synonyms within Context (source: adapted from Roget's Thesaurus). |
Assent | Unanimity, common consent, consensus, acclamation, chorus, vox populi; popular belief, current belief, current opinion; public opinion; concurrence; (of causes); cooperation; (voluntary). |
| Source: adapted from Roget's Thesaurus. | |
Crosswords: Public Opinion |
| English words defined with "public opinion": agitate ♦ basic ♦ canvass ♦ don't-know ♦ foment ♦ ground swell ♦ headcounter ♦ manipulate ♦ opinion poll ♦ plebiscite, poll, poll taker, pollster, public opinion poll, pull strings, pull wires ♦ stir up ♦ trial balloon. (references) |
| Specialty definitions using "public opinion": AAPOR, Appeal to the Country ♦ communication science, communication studies, communications ♦ EDITORIAL WRITER ♦ Garter ♦ Law and Lawsuits ♦ OPINION ♦ PLANNER, PROGRAM SERVICES ♦ referendum ♦ WAPOR. (references) |
| Domain | Usage | |
Screenplays | I'd be lying to you if I did not tell you how important it was in a court of public opinion. (The Insider; writing credit: Eric Roth) I'll make public opinion out there within 5 hours! (Mr. Smith Goes to Washington; writing credit: Sidney Buchman) If he can raise public opinion against us-- if any part of this sticks-- (Mr. Smith Goes to Washington; writing credit: Sidney Buchman) Public opinion has a way of changing. (A Clockwork Orange; writing credit: Stanley Kubrick) | |
Movie/TV Titles | Public Opinion (1935) | |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | ||
| Domain | Title | ||
Books | |||
Periodicals |
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Theater & Movies | |||
Music |
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Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |||
| Thumbnail | Description & Credit | Thumbnail | Description & Credit |
 | Woodrow Wilson pondering clubs labeled "compromise," "demagoguery (stuffed)," "public opinion," "politics," and "coercion" while Old Hickory looks on from a portrait. Credit: Library of Congress. |  | Brumbaugh balancing clown holding barrels of rum and Standard Oil on tightrope of "public opinion" being frayed by "Anti-Penrose sentiment". Credit: Library of Congress. |
 | How "The Southern Commissioner" tried to mould [sic] public opinion in England. Credit: Library of Congress. |  | Exhibit panel depicting public opinion and education through mass media, before 1945 and after 1945, in Japan] / U.S. Army photograph. Credit: Library of Congress. |
Source: pictures compiled by the editor from various references; see picture credits. | |||
| Author | Quotation |
Abraham Lincoln | Public opinion in this country is everything. |
Clarence Darrow | I had grown tired of standing in the lean and lonely front line facing the greatest enemy that ever confronted man -- public opinion. |
Henry Ward Beecher | Private opinion is weak, but public opinion is almost omnipotent. |
Oscar Wilde | Public Opinion... an attempt to organize the ignorance of the community, and to elevate it to the dignity of physical force. |
Sebastien-Roch Nicolas De Chamfort | There are certain times when public opinion is the worst of all opinions. |
Sir Robert Peel | Public opinion is a compound of folly, weakness, prejudice, wrong feeling, right feeling, obstinacy, and newspaper paragraphs. |
Vincent Van Gogh | Painting is a faith, and it imposes the duty to disregard public opinion. |
Wendell Phillips | Law is nothing unless close behind it stands a warm living public opinion. |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references. | |
| Title | Author | Quote |
Walden | Thoreau, Henry David | Public opinion is a weak tyrant compared with our own private opinion. |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references. | ||
| Subject | Topic | Quote |
Health | Contrary to public opinion, most cases of urinary incontinence can be cured or improved. (references) | |
At the same time, there is concern that the curtailment of ECT use in response to public opinion and regulation may deprive certain patients of a potentially effective treatment. (references) | ||
Business | The intensity that drives the privatization campaign is still bolstered by public opinion that continues to supports private and public sector reform. (references) | |
It also portraits trends in public opinion and politics, and defines the conditions under which there are or would be interesting future business prospects in the German green biotech market. (references) | ||
Public opinion has made it very difficult for labeled products to compete with unlabeled ones, especially since most European food market chains have stated that they will not offer any GM-products on their shelves, unless unavoidable. (references) | ||
Civil Liberties | Brunei | The Government on occasion has been responsive to public opinion on some issues concerning social or environmental problems. (references) |
Libya | The occasional instances of criticism of political leaders and policies in the state-controlled media usually are government attempts to test public opinion or weaken a government figure who may be a potential challenger to Qadhafi. (references) | |
Benin | These publications criticize the Government freely and often, but their effect on public opinion is limited because of their urban concentration. (references) | |
Economic History | Korea | In fact, public opinion has grown steadily more favorable during the 1990's, though vested interests and pockets of protectionist sentiment remain. (references) |
Spain | Waste to energy poses significant opportunities despite strong public opinion opposition to incineration. (references) | |
Ireland | The outbreak of war in Europe in 1914 put home rule efforts on hold, and, in reaction, Padraic Pearse and James Connolly led the unsuccessful Easter Rising of 1916. The decision by the British-imposed court structure to execute the leaders of the rebellion, coupled with the British Government's threat of conscription, alienated public opinion and produced massive support for Sinn Fein in the 1918 general election. (references) | |
Human Rights | Mexico | However, in a public opinion survey in May, a majority of respondents indicated that they felt the CNDH was an institution that offered services of protection, defense, and consultation to the population. (references) |
Cuba | The Interior Ministry employed an intricate system of informants and block committees (the CDR's) to monitor and control public opinion. (references) | |
Minorities | Czech Republic | Roma also were subject to popular prejudice, as is confirmed repeatedly by public opinion polls. (references) |
Political Economy | Ireland | However, current public opinion polls indicate that sustained economic growth, as well as positive developments in the Northern Ireland peace process and the government's competent handling of the foot and mouth crisis all swing in the Ahern government's favor. (references) |
Australia | While there exists broad popular support for an Australian head of state, public opinion has yet to coalesce into a critical mass for change. (references) | |
Slovak Rep | Nonetheless, opposition parties, such as those led by former Prime Minister Meciar, consistently received higher support in public opinion polls than parties in the ruling coalition. (references) | |
Political Rights | Iran | In the spring, authorities reportedly arrested Fatima Haghighatjoo, for inciting public opinion and insulting the judiciary, and for claiming that the Government tortured and mistreated prisoners. (references) |
Nicaragua | Thus, the PLC alliance holds 53 seats in total, the FSLN has 38, and the PC has 1. Preliminary CSE reports and public opinion polls indicated that over 90 percent of eligible voters are registered; the CSE also announced that 94 percent of eligible voters cast ballots. (references) | |
Kenya | Since 1996 a broad coalition of NGO's and religious organizations has mobilized public opinion in support of a reform of the Constitution to reduce the power of the presidency. (references) | |
Women | Trinidad and Tobago | There has been increased media coverage of domestic abuse cases and signs of a shift in public opinion, which had held that such cases were a private matter. (references) |
Uganda | Law enforcement officials, reflecting general public opinion, continued to view wife beating as a husband's prerogative and rarely intervened in cases of domestic violence. (references) | |
Worker Rights | Belarus | Women seldom report incidences of trafficking to police because of a generally negative public opinion about law enforcement authorities, shortcomings in legislation on the subject, and the insufficient protection of victims and witnesses. (references) |
Lexicography | Devil's Dictionary | REFERENDUM, n. A law for submission of proposed legislation to a popular vote to learn the nonsensus of public opinion. |
Source: compiled by the editor from ICON Group International, Inc.; see credits. | ||
| Speaker | Phrase(s) |
Rush Limbaugh | Democrats think that public opinion overrides the law any time the law is in their way. |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |
| Speaker | Term | Phrase(s) |
George Washington | 1789-1797 | In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened. |
Thomas Jefferson | 1801-1809 | If there be still improprieties which this rule would not restrain, its supplement must be sought in the censorship of public opinion. |
John Quincy Adams | 1825-1829 | Ten years of peace, at home and abroad, have assuaged the animosities of political contention and blended into harmony the most discordant elements of public opinion. |
Andrew Jackson | 1829-1837 | At this time the efforts of the bank to control public opinion, through the distresses of some and the fears of others, are equally apparent, and, if possible, more objectionable. |
Harry S. Truman | 1945-1953 | The Government can, however, help to develop machinery which, with the backing of public opinion, will assist labor and management to resolve their disagreements in a peaceful manner and reduce the number and duration of strikes. |
John F. Kennedy | 1961-1963 | Our people trust their government, and we assure our people and world public opinion that the Soviet Government will not allow itself to be provoked. |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references. | ||
Expressions using "public opinion": before the tribunal of public opinion ♦ mold public opinion ♦ mould public opinion ♦ public opinion poll ♦ public opinion polls ♦ public opinion pool ♦ public opinion surveys ♦ servile to public opinion ♦ the run of public opinion. Additional references. | |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. |
| The following statistics estimate the number of searches per day across the major English-language search engines as identified by various trade publications. Hyperlinks lead to commercial use of the expression at Amazon.com. |
| Expression | Frequency per Day |
public opinion | 176 |
watertown public opinion | 116 |
public opinion poll | 68 |
public opinion research | 7 |
public opinion survey | 7 |
public opinion polling | 5 |
public opinion and market research | 4 |
public opinion news | 2 |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |
| Language | Translations for "public opinion"; alternative meanings/domain in parentheses. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Arabic | الرآي عام, رأي عام. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bulgarian | роб на общественото мнение (servile to public opinion). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chinese | 輿論 , 民意 (popular will, public will), 公眾意見 . (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Danish | den offentlige mening. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dutch | publieke opinie. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Finnish | yleinen mielipide. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
French | opinion publique. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
German | öffentliche Meinung. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Greek | κοινή γνώμη (conventional wisdom). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hebrew | "עת "ק"ל, "עת "צבור. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hungarian | közvélemény (common opinion, general public, sudden swing of public opinion, vox populi). (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Italian | opinione pubblica. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Japanese Kanji | 輿論 , 衆評 , 衆論 , 衆意 , 與論 , パノラマ写真 (palladium, panoramic photograph, Papa, papaya, paprika, papyrus, parachute, parachute skirt, paradigm, paradigm shift, paradise, paraglider, paragraph, parapsychology, paraquat, parasail, parasite single, parasol, Parathion, paratyphus, parfait, pavilion, Pavlov, performance, perfume, perfumer, pub, public, public acceptance, public corporation, public course, public domain, public house, public relations, public school, public servant, public space, publicity, puff, puff sleeve, puppy), 民論 , 公議 (just view), 公論 (unbiased criticism), 国論 , 与論 , 世評 (reputation), 世論 . (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Japanese Katakana | パブリックオ"ニオン , しゅうひょう (gathering votes), しゅうい (circumference, environs, gleaning, prison uniform, surroundings, wearing one garment over another), しゅうろ" (Masters thesis), せひょう (reputation), せろ", "くろ", "うぎ (amity, authorities, broader application, equity, fine workmanship, friendship, government, imperial court, just view, justice, kindness or favour, lecture, objection, official, protest, public affairs, shogunate government, skill, warm friendship, wide sense, your kindness), "うろ" (dispute, intelligent opinion, quarrel, unbiased criticism, your esteemed opinion), よろ", み"ろ". (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Manx | aigney yn phobble. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pig Latin | ublicpay opinionay opinião pública. (various references) opinia publicã (outside opinion). (various references) опрос общественного мнения (opinion poll, public opinion poll). (various references) opinión pública. (various references) folkopinion, allmänna opinionen. (various references) kamuoyu. (various references) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Language | Period | Translations |
| Latin | 500 BCE-Modern | fama, famae, famam, famis. (various references) |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references. | ||
Misspellings | |
"Public Opinion" is suggested in spellcheckers for the following: public opnion. (additional references) | |
| Source: compiled by the editor, based on several corpora (additional references). | |
Scrabble® Enable2K-Verified Anagrams | |
| Words within the letters "b-c-i-i-i-l-n-n-o-o-p-p-u" | |
-4 letters: nonpublic. | |
-5 letters: cioppino. | |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. | |
| 1. Definition 2. Synonyms 3. Crosswords 4. Usage: Modern | 5. Usage: Commercial 6. Images: Photo Album 7. Quotations: Familiar 8. Quotations: Fiction | 9. Quotations: Non-fiction 10. Quotations: Spoken 11. Quotations: Speeches 12. Expressions | 13. Expressions: Internet 14. Translations: Modern 15. Translations: Ancient 16. Derivations | 17. Anagrams 18. Bibliography |
Copyright © Philip M. Parker, INSEAD. Terms of Use.
