plainly

adverb

Definition of plainlynext
1
as in openly
in an honest and direct manner you'll have to tell your relatives very plainly that you don't like perfume, or they'll keep giving it to you

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in certainly
without any question your wife is plainly upset that you didn't invite her to the game with us

Synonyms & Similar Words

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for plainly
  1. certainly
  2. sincerely
  3. surely
  4. plain
  5. definitely
  6. clearly
  7. honestly
  8. sure
Adverb
  • His time with Bedard is certainly over, for now at least.
    Mark Lazerus, The Athletic, 18 Dec. 2024
  • While there are certainly products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind.
    Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 18 Dec. 2024
Definition of certainly
Adverb
  • Another source close to a younger first-team player says Maresca has spoken clearly and sincerely to the squad since the beginning.
    Simon Johnson and Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 13 Dec. 2024
  • The chunk of this episode that focused on Meredith’s Bat Mitzvah sincerely was far too long and felt like filler, even with Mary’s comedic late appearance.
    Sarah Hagi, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024
Definition of sincerely
Adverb
  • After the Bears nearly stunned the Vikings in Week 12, scoring 11 points in the final 22 seconds to force overtime, the Vikings should surely be prepared to avoid a disastrous loss.
    Austin Mock, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
  • In fact, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports that Houston could trade for Nolan Arenado—another third baseman—which would surely close the door on a potential Bregman return.
    Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Definition of surely
Adverb
  • As Eve says to Adam: His fraud is then thy fear, which plain infers Thy equal fear that my firm faith and love Can by his fraud be shaken or seduced.
    Merve Emre, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024
  • Normally, encountering that many smiling faces might seem a bit suspect, but people are just plain happy.
    Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 16 Dec. 2024
Definition of plain
Adverb
  • The younger promotion is growing fast and Lashley definitely won't be the last who's tempted over.
    Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024
  • The metaverse is a good example — maybe everyone eventually starts living online and Roblox’s digital world is still thriving, but the buzz has definitely moved on.
    Evan Clark, WWD, 16 Dec. 2024
Definition of definitely
Adverb
  • But nothing seemed fun in light of the far more serious issue that clearly outweighed the final game result.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024
  • Other veterans like Corbin Burnes, Blake Snell and Max Fried are the only pitchers clearly in the tier above him.
    Sam Blum, The Athletic, 11 Dec. 2024
Definition of clearly
Adverb
  • From the theme song to the Sunday night Reagan family dinners, it's been a fan-favorite since season one (and honestly could have creatively kept going).
    Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 8 Dec. 2024
  • That rediscovery of a deeper humanity, which comes from collective solidarity [and] collective action, awaits anyone who will look honestly at our situation.
    Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 7 Dec. 2024
Definition of honestly
Adverb
  • Money might not grow on trees, but mistletoe sure does.
    Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Dec. 2024
  • The Giants sure sound willing to engage with any or all of those one-time perennial All-Stars while addressing short-term needs.
    Andrew Baggarly, The Athletic, 12 Dec. 2024
Definition of sure
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Thesaurus Entries Near plainly

plain Janes

plainly

plainness

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Cite this Entry

“Plainly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plainly. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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More from Merriam-Webster on plainly

Nglish: Translation of plainly for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of plainly for Arabic Speakers

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