1
as in area
a region of activity, knowledge, or influence
we're moving into unfamiliar terrain if we bring pre-Columbian art into our discussion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in geography
the physical features of a region as a whole
an analysis of the terrain revealed that an invasion force of paratroopers would have their work cut out for them
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in environment
the circumstances, conditions, or objects by which one is surrounded
a new senator getting lost in the foggy terrain of double-dealing and deception
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of terrain
On wooded terrain near Mather Lodge, 24 housekeeping cabins are available.
—
Jack Schnedler, Arkansas Online, 19 May 2025
The Sierra de las Minas Biosphere Reserve spans a massive area of northeastern Guatemala and has varied terrain ranging from lowlands to cloud forests to peaks.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 16 May 2025
The cameras will provide detailed views of the terrain.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 12 May 2025
Walkability and bike lanes Smith said North Kansas City has so much potential with its relatively flat terrain, especially compared to other hillier parts of the metro.
—Alecia Taylor, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrain
Jack Schnedler, Arkansas Online, 19 May 2025
The Sierra de las Minas Biosphere Reserve spans a massive area of northeastern Guatemala and has varied terrain ranging from lowlands to cloud forests to peaks.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 16 May 2025
The cameras will provide detailed views of the terrain.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 12 May 2025
Walkability and bike lanes Smith said North Kansas City has so much potential with its relatively flat terrain, especially compared to other hillier parts of the metro.
—Alecia Taylor, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrain
Noun
-
On May 8, a hunter discovered human remains on Cedar Mountain, and after alerting authorities about the finding, law enforcement responded to the area and retrieved them, the Kane County Sheriff's Office reported this week.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
-
Avoiding areas with a lot of tree coverage or power lines.—
Alyssa Hui-Anderson,
Verywell Health,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
But behind that mantra is a complex commitment to meeting the emotional, cultural, and narrative needs of Black women across generations and geographies.—
Essence,
Essence,
22 May 2025
-
Equity and Access Many midlife women face healthcare disparities based on race, income or geography.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
Housed in a charming building from the 1930s, the store prioritizes creating a safe and loving environment for all, embracing the timeless value of literature.—
American Booksellers Association,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
-
When plastics are not recycled, they are either incinerated, tossed into the environment, or put in a landfill.—
Stephanie Brown,
Verywell Health,
16 May 2025
Noun
-
Until recently, China's entries in the realm of spaceflight patches often lacked the originality found in patches from the West.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
17 May 2025
-
Still, the show’s tone offers audiences something atypical in the realm of sci-fi action.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
16 May 2025
Noun
-
What remains consistent is the splendid topography of Frazier’s prose, and the sense throughout his work that there are, in fact, no uninteresting places, just uninteresting writers.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2025
-
These same eight cities have had more than 90 significant floods since 2000, state the authors, with lowering topography as one of the causes.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
Noun
-
Meanwhile, a personal tragedy shakes Colin into consciousness, the only element that manages to pierce Ray’s exterior long enough to let his sub in.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
18 May 2025
-
The common element is that a single federal judge in one of 94 regional districts paused a policy for the entire country while the case is being litigated.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
18 May 2025
Noun
-
The fossil pollen shows how ancient societies transformed their landscapes, and how ecosystems responded, providing more evidence and explanations for other historical accounts.—
Francisca Oboh Ikuenobe,
The Conversation,
20 May 2025
-
The consequences are increasingly visible across the landscape: small private colleges shuttering operations, regional public universities desperately seeking merger partners, and even centuries-old institutions teetering on financial cliffs.—
Scott White,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
Noun
-
Fans both in person and online noted the electric atmosphere of the concert.—
Caché McClay,
USA Today,
25 May 2025
-
It was therefore expected that — even if tentative — the detection of a potential biomarker in the atmosphere of an exoplanet would have extensive coverage.—
Victoria Corless,
Space.com,
25 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Terrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrain. Accessed 30 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share