popular opinion
What most think
Popular opinion is what most people think or believe about something, the prevailing view held by the general public rather than by experts or authorities.
It often shapes social norms and can influence political decisions, though it may shift over time or prove unreliable on technical matters.
Popular opinion holds that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
The phrase sometimes carries a dismissive tone, implying the majority view lacks nuance or expertise.
General group agreement
- conventional wisdomGenerally accepted beliefs
- public sentimentPrevailing attitude of society
- groupthinkConformity-driven poor decisions
- received wisdomUnquestioned popular belief
cultural norm · social proof · stereotype · misconception · folk belief · zeitgeist · orthodoxy · truism
Systematic opinion gathering
- surveysSystematic information gathering
- approval ratingPublic opinion metric
- focus groupsGuided consumer feedback sessions
- referendumDirect vote on legislation
plebiscite · demographics · electorate · sampling · exit polls · straw poll · trending · viral
Currently in style
- zeitgeistEra's dominant mentality
- trendyCurrently in vogue
- in vogueCurrently popular, fashionable
- mainstreamDominant cultural current
current · viral · buzzy · hot take · fad · bandwagon · meme · flavor of the month
Biased information for influence
- bandwagon effectAdopting trends through imitation
- echo chamberSelf-reinforcing information environment
- peer pressureInfluence from one's equals
- media influenceNews outlets shaping views
persuasion · opinion leaders · influencers · viral spread · social media · manipulation · agenda-setting · spin
consensus
General group agreement
- conventional wisdomGenerally accepted beliefs
- public sentimentPrevailing attitude of society
- groupthinkConformity-driven poor decisions
received wisdom · cultural norm · social proof · stereotype · misconception · folk belief · zeitgeist · orthodoxy · truism
polling
Systematic opinion gathering
- surveysSystematic information gathering
- approval ratingPublic opinion metric
- focus groupsGuided consumer feedback sessions
referendum · plebiscite · demographics · electorate · sampling · exit polls · straw poll · trending · viral · buzz
fashionable
Currently in style
mainstream · current · viral · buzzy · hot take · fad · bandwagon · meme · flavor of the month · trending topic
propaganda
Biased information for influence
- bandwagon effectAdopting trends through imitation
- echo chamberSelf-reinforcing information environment
- peer pressureInfluence from one's equals
media influence · persuasion · opinion leaders · influencers · viral spread · social media · manipulation · agenda-setting · spin · talking points
- cultural trendstrends, fads, movements, cultural shifts, social norms
- folk wisdomproverb, folklore, folk sayings, saying, proverbs
popular opinionexpert opinion
Informed judgment from specialists
expert analysis · scholarly consensus · scientific consensus · technical analysis · specialized knowledge
people, popular, population, unpopular, popularity, populate, popularize, populated, popularly