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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Lauren O'Connor, Health, 11 June 2025
Its impact on the modern environment is made plain when the geologist protagonist must flee terrible wildfires there.
—Diana Arterian
june 5, Literary Hub, 5 June 2025
Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2025
To keep your treat as healthy and nutritious as possible, keep it to a plain dark chocolate bar.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 26 May 2025
Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 29 May 2025
New York City's Comptroller, Brad Lander, says the value of the property in New York City's flood plain is now $176 billion and few people are going to move out of harm's way.
—Laura Sullivan, NPR, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for plain
Adjective
Top it off with one ounce of plain, low-fat Greek yogurt ( about three grams of protein, 21 calories) and a sprinkling of chives.
—Lauren O'Connor, Health, 11 June 2025
Its impact on the modern environment is made plain when the geologist protagonist must flee terrible wildfires there.
—Diana Arterian
june 5, Literary Hub, 5 June 2025
Adverb
Even an insurance agent couldn’t figure out how to safeguard his vegetable and poultry farm against unpredictable weather and plain old bad luck.
—Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2025
To keep your treat as healthy and nutritious as possible, keep it to a plain dark chocolate bar.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 26 May 2025
Noun
The surface is rife with distinct geologic features, such as ridges, plains, and cracks, that cross over each other.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 29 May 2025
New York City's Comptroller, Brad Lander, says the value of the property in New York City's flood plain is now $176 billion and few people are going to move out of harm's way.
—Laura Sullivan, NPR, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for plain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plain
Adjective
-
The simplest way to achieve your goal may be a version of the truth that’s not the whole truth.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2025
-
For leaders, the takeaway is simple: let chaos strip the fluff away.—
Victoria Chynoweth,
Rolling Stone,
17 June 2025
Adjective
-
This mocktail is pure indulgence with a playful twist.—
Essence,
Essence,
17 June 2025
-
The fuel running this sleek, aerodynamic speedster of a movie is 100-percent pure star power.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
17 June 2025
Adjective
-
The Democratic lawmakers have been outspoken critics of conditions at the centers amid concerns over overcrowding and detainee deaths.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
23 June 2025
-
Newsom, however, was an outspoken opponent of the proposition.—
George Skelton,
Los Angeles Times,
23 June 2025
Adjective
-
Questions on straightforward topics, like high school history, produced up to six times fewer emissions than subjects like abstract algebra or philosophy, which required lengthy reasoning processes.—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
19 June 2025
-
Setup was straightforward, the sideboard was well padded and close to fully set up.—
Briana Feigon,
Architectural Digest,
19 June 2025
Adjective
-
But Cate mentioned obvious areas of interest such as housing, infrastructure, regulations, taxes and fees, trade and the overall cost of living.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 June 2025
-
Such an obvious way to exhibit his egotistical personality.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
22 June 2025
Noun
-
With the prairie getting plowed under and replaced almost completely by farmland, the prairie chicken lost its habitat, and is nearly extinct in Illinois.—
Robert McCoppin,
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2025
-
The researchers also analyzed tiny plant remains fossilizing in the cubs’ stomachs, revealing that the wolves lived in a dry, somewhat mild environment that could support diverse vegetation including prairie grasses, willows and shrub leaves.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
14 June 2025
Noun
-
Old-timers have stopped over the last two days to sit and lay in the wispy tall grass, in the expanse of its shadow.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
14 June 2025
-
Who can gaze into that great expanse and not contemplate such things as infinity or Earth’s relevance to the cosmos?—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 June 2025
Adjective
-
My advice is to conduct an honest assessment of your team's capabilities relative to migration requirements.—
AJ Bubb,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
-
What is your secret to remaining an innovator in your field? To be honest, I get inspired.—
Nigel Smith,
People.com,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Plain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plain. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.
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