public reaction
How people respond
Public reaction is the collective response of ordinary people to an event, announcement, or decision—distinct from official statements or expert analysis.
News coverage often gauges public reaction through interviews, social media, or protests: Public reaction to the verdict was swift and angry.
The phrase implies a grassroots sentiment that authorities must reckon with.
- outcryLoud public protest
- backlashStrong negative reaction
- outrageFierce moral indignation
- mass hysteriaShared irrational public fear
- uproarNoisy public disturbance
cancel culture · response · sentiment · opinion · protest · anger · applause · criticism · praise · mixed reviews · controversy · buzz · headlines · viral · going viral · scandal · petition · boycott
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