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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in straightforward
going straight to the point clearly and firmly
a plain report on the current situation
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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
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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
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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
Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 May 2025
Sparkling and Infused Water Sparkling water is plain water infused with carbon dioxide gas.
—Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 20 May 2025
Marc Berman, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
However, the plain white tee has evolved over the years to be more stylish and of higher quality.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 9 May 2025
The Los Angeles Basin includes the coastal plain and waters of Los Angeles: extending north to the Santa Monica Mountains, east to the Angeles National Forest and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and east and south into much of Orange County.
—Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for plain
Adjective
The speed of the freeze was striking—but so was the immensity of the frozen plain stretching to the horizon.
—Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 May 2025
Sparkling and Infused Water Sparkling water is plain water infused with carbon dioxide gas.
—Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 20 May 2025
Adverb
In recent years, the focus at Fox is on the familiar, which in most cases (animation, in particular) is just plain tired.
—Marc Berman, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
However, the plain white tee has evolved over the years to be more stylish and of higher quality.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
Noun
Choosing plain, nonfat Greek yogurt can save you 65 calories in a 6-ounce serving compared to the whole-fat version.
—Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 9 May 2025
The Los Angeles Basin includes the coastal plain and waters of Los Angeles: extending north to the Santa Monica Mountains, east to the Angeles National Forest and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and east and south into much of Orange County.
—Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for plain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plain
Adjective
-
Trevon Williams, who did not escape from the New Orleans jail, was charged with 10 counts of being a principal to simple escape, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced on May 23.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
25 May 2025
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As artificial intelligence models grow increasingly sophisticated, their capabilities extend far beyond simple task execution.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
Here are some of the best words to describe his work: simple, clean, clear, pure and, above all, elegant.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2025
-
What’s actually the most interesting thing is to go the opposite route and go pure banal.—
Katcy Stephan,
Variety,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
Marjorie Taylor Greene Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, an outspoken critic of Biden and Democrats, expressed sympathy for the former President and his family after the diagnosis was revealed.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
19 May 2025
-
Another singles match will see the tough Sheamus go one-on-one with the outspoken Grayson Waller.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 May 2025
Adjective
-
Every detail is considered, down to the most straightforward dish on the menu and its namesake.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
26 May 2025
-
But unlike those diseases, there’s a fairly straightforward way to detect NPH and address some of its most debilitating symptoms.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
But in terms of the excitement and electricity, the parallels between Verlander and Skubal are obvious.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
-
AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines told Newsweek the most obvious impact from the smoke would be hazy skies, which could contribute to visually beautiful sunrises and sunsets in the affected areas.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
Noun
-
The authors’ arguments in defense of the prairie and its people deserve attention.—
Monitor staff,
Christian Science Monitor,
22 May 2025
-
Beneath its wide skies and quiet prairies lies a rugged and surprising variety of landscapes with trails galore.—
Brian Higgins,
Outside Online,
20 May 2025
Noun
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The debris flow had barreled more than a mile down the mountain, leaving an expanse of mud and rocks.—
Jennifer Berry Hawes,
ProPublica,
19 May 2025
-
Given its expanse into a head-to-toe resort wear outfitter that even trades in unstructured jackets and knitted trainers, how does the label continue to grow without losing sight of its original purpose?—
Eric Twardzik,
Robb Report,
16 May 2025
Adjective
-
Players appreciated such an honest approach during the Euro 2022 campaign, which garnered mutual respect and trust.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
-
So much of it feels like a fever dream, to be honest, being in Singapore.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Plain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plain. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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