1
as in simple
free from all additions or embellishment
I like my hamburgers plain, with no ketchup or relish just give us the plain facts and none of your snide comments
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pure
free from added matter
I'd prefer my pasta plain, not flavored with tomato or spinach or anything else
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in outspoken
free in expressing one's true feelings and opinions
their piano teacher is honest and plain, if not always tactful
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in straightforward
going straight to the point clearly and firmly
a plain report on the current situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in obvious
not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation
let me make my meaning plain
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in openly
in an honest and direct manner
told her plain that he loved her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in prairie
a broad area of level or rolling treeless country
the first settlers in that area lived on the vast plains in lonely log cabins
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in expanse
a wide space or area
the vast plains of snow-covered earth that seemed to stretch endlessly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of plain
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 12 Mar. 2025
Starting with a plain seltzer base, Belmont generates concoctions using an array of fruit purees and syrups — any combination that a customer dreams up.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 11 Mar. 2025
Erica Pandey, Axios, 26 Feb. 2025
Radar Reveals Ancient Shoreline On Mars Zhurong, part of China’s Tianwen-1 mission, landed in Utopia Planitia — a vast lava plain long suspected to have once been submerged under an ancient Martian ocean.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2025
In some cases, the standards also apply to private homes repaired or rebuilt in a flood plain.
—Christopher Flavelle, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for plain
Adjective
The cast spills onto the plain square stage mounted on gray bricks.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 12 Mar. 2025
Starting with a plain seltzer base, Belmont generates concoctions using an array of fruit purees and syrups — any combination that a customer dreams up.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 11 Mar. 2025
Adverb
The bottom line: Just plain old milk is making a comeback in grocery stores and on social media.
—Erica Pandey, Axios, 26 Feb. 2025
Radar Reveals Ancient Shoreline On Mars Zhurong, part of China’s Tianwen-1 mission, landed in Utopia Planitia — a vast lava plain long suspected to have once been submerged under an ancient Martian ocean.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
Noun
The frogs primarily live in plains and low mountains, according to the study, but can occasionally be found in higher elevations.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2025
In some cases, the standards also apply to private homes repaired or rebuilt in a flood plain.
—Christopher Flavelle, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for plain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plain
Adjective
-
All of this is a vaguely long-winded way of making a simple point — the outlook for Wolves’ defence has changed dramatically over the course of this season.—
Steve Madeley,
The Athletic,
14 Mar. 2025
-
No code is needed to get started, as a simple click below will activate this offer.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
Newsweek,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Blanchett, meanwhile, continues her reign among the cadre of actresses who work with their stylists — in this case, Elizabeth Stewart — to craft a collection of press-run looks that extend beyond pure glamour in their talking points.—
Laurie Brookins,
The Hollywood Reporter,
13 Mar. 2025
-
This can provide significant advantages over today’s best mini-LED TVs, including higher brightness, less blooming (light bleed around bright images), and purer, more accurate colors.—
Ryan Waniata,
WIRED,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Duckworth, herself a disabled veteran, has been particularly outspoken, calling the Administration’s actions a betrayal.—
Nik Popli,
TIME,
20 Mar. 2025
-
The actress, whose big break came in another big musical, the remake of West Side Story, has drawn her own controversy for being a little bit outspoken, there is that.—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz,
StyleCaster,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
For You Sigma's move for a more basic, straightforward interface extends to the autofocus system.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Although Baytown does not have any historical affinity with aerospace, its location on the water offers far more straightforward access to Relativity's test facilities in Mississippi and its launch site in Florida.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Porsha’s very obvious absence.m As the party moves outside for the big surprise, Shamea gets the ultimate birthday flex—a Rolls-Royce Cullinan.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
18 Mar. 2025
-
The impetus behind the spending boost—hundreds of billions of dollars in two separate packages—is obvious.—
David Axe,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The acquisition expands the Lakewood Forest Preserve, the largest in the county with more than 2,900 acres of trails, woodlands, prairies, wetlands and lakes according to a county press release.—
Joseph States,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2025
-
In revealing how the prairie was consumed by colonization and agricultural practices time has proven detrimental, Smarsh’s piece is equal parts fascinating history and ecology lesson.—
Longreads,
Longreads,
19 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
These wide expanses of dense maritime forest are largely left alone.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
11 Mar. 2025
-
The extraordinary Lake Tahoe residence — nestled along a broad expanse of shoreline on 5.47 acres — has hit the market for $65 million.—
David Caraccio,
Sacramento Bee,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Encourage candidates to ask questions and provide honest answers.—
Rebecca Skilbeck,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
-
Olivia Culpo is getting honest about what happened during the first trimester of her pregnancy.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
19 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Plain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plain. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.
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