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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plainly
Adverb
-
Few modern conflicts have certainly sparked as much global outrage, division, and scrutiny as the war in Gaza — not just because of the war’s scale, but for the staggering human toll on civilians.—
Andy Meek,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025 -
At $1,500, the 10 Recumbent Bike is certainly an investment.—
Sara Coughlin,
SELF,
1 July 2025
Adverb
-
At sentencing, Woods’ attorney reiterated that Woods sincerely believed the block was about to erupt in gunfire and said his client has almost no criminal history, save for a years-old misdemeanor conviction.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
9 June 2025
-
For all the pushback, if district residents sincerely want a voice in Congress that can cast actual votes any time soon, retrocession is probably their best bet.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
13 June 2025
Adverb
-
And with your newfound glow, your bridal glam will surely appear more luminous.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
1 July 2025
-
For a long time, reports indicated the king had been unwilling to deepen the rift between him and Prince Harry, but a move such as this one would surely cause their ongoing feud to escalate.—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz,
StyleCaster,
30 June 2025
Adverb
-
So how about just a plain old four years and $100 million?—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
26 June 2025
-
The artwork is surrounded by a plain white section on three sides and a black rectangle spangled with white crosses, which might have indicated the threshold of a doorway.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
26 June 2025
Adverb
-
The Mandalorian and Andor are done (Mando with its movie), The Acolyte was cancelled, The Book of Boba Fett is definitely dead.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
Paris is definitely the strongest fashion week, with a very good balance between mega brands that delivered great shows and emerging talents or independent brands with high creative voices.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
30 June 2025
Adverb
-
But, in a way, even this backlash is a backhanded recognition of the moment; the Administration, and its supporters in the fossil-fuel industry, clearly consider this the last possible moment to stifle the sun.—
Bill McKibben,
New Yorker,
9 July 2025
-
Footage from a sheriff’s helicopter showed Rendon raising his arm, but the grainy video does not show clearly whether the gun went toward deputies or his own head.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 July 2025
Adverb
-
And, honestly, how has that guy not been an All-Star yet?—
Chad Jennings,
New York Times,
7 July 2025
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The resulting pressures are that taxpayers must voluntarily report this income, which puts tremendous pressure on them to track their records and honestly report their income.—
Nathan Goldman,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
Adverb
-
So sure, hop into season 3 now, or just wait a month until Netflix scoops it up.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
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And sure, your patio furniture set is important, but a little decor goes a long way to make an outdoor space more personal and cozy.—
Blake Bakkila,
Architectural Digest,
11 July 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Plainly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plainly. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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