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
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Recent Examples of plainly
The Shape-Shifter Impostor syndrome rarely announces itself plainly.
—
Karyn Gallant,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Thirteen years later, in a 1973 feature for Backpacker magazine, Saijo put it plainly.
—
Literary Hub,
29 June 2026
State your limit plainly and offer a fair adjustment.
—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
26 June 2026
Editors at The Good Trade put it plainly.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
25 June 2026
Speak plainly, then agree on a fair next step together.
—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
19 June 2026
On Monday night, David Remnick interviewed Hillary Rodham Clinton for a live taping of The New Yorker Radio Hour, where the former First Lady spoke plainly about Joe Biden and the disastrous 2024 election.
—
Ian Crouch,
New Yorker,
18 June 2026
Draft the pitch and edit the newsletter so your plan lands plainly, and keep the tone upbeat.
—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2026
The Islamic Republic has always claimed that its domestic opponents were stooges of Israel and the United States, even when those charges were plainly implausible.
—
Laura Secor,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2026
Karyn Gallant,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Thirteen years later, in a 1973 feature for Backpacker magazine, Saijo put it plainly.
—
Literary Hub,
29 June 2026
State your limit plainly and offer a fair adjustment.
—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
26 June 2026
Editors at The Good Trade put it plainly.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
25 June 2026
Speak plainly, then agree on a fair next step together.
—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
19 June 2026
On Monday night, David Remnick interviewed Hillary Rodham Clinton for a live taping of The New Yorker Radio Hour, where the former First Lady spoke plainly about Joe Biden and the disastrous 2024 election.
—
Ian Crouch,
New Yorker,
18 June 2026
Draft the pitch and edit the newsletter so your plan lands plainly, and keep the tone upbeat.
—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2026
The Islamic Republic has always claimed that its domestic opponents were stooges of Israel and the United States, even when those charges were plainly implausible.
—
Laura Secor,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plainly
Adverb
-
Both of the soon-to-be newlyweds have talked openly about wanting to have kids.
-
On top of that, Kelce appeared on the cover of GQ magazine and spoke openly about his and Swift’s relationship for the first time with a major publication.
Adverb
-
Sometimes, were stymied because the conduct is based, the servers are based, outside of certainly Manhattan, but in many instances outside the United States.
-
The fact that my son and his girlfriend live in Kansas City certainly helped spark our newfound fascination.
Adverb
-
Here was a government that had explicitly borrowed from Beijing’s developmental playbook and sincerely attempted to imitate it, but failed.
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My favorite depictions of this city know its real history is too cuckoo to capture sincerely; straight reenactments make the production of 35mm masterpieces look as piddly as Shrinky Dinks.
Adverb
-
The legendary Modrić surely just played his last World Cup match and perhaps his final international game for Croatia.
-
The former Crystal Palace right-back has never played in the second-tier Championship but keeping him this summer would surely benefit the club’s push for instant promotion back to the top flight.
Adverb
-
In some spots, the history is just plain wrong.
-
Following them was Ramón, 15, pulling along two suitcases, one was plain dark green and the other had a Betty Boop theme; and Magdalena, the children’s mother and Angel’s grandmother.
Adverb
-
Cain pointed out that having the president of the United States greasing the wheels definitely helped speed things along.
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It’s also led by arguably (but definitely, in my opinion) the best player to ever play the sport, Lionel Messi.
Adverb
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Professionals who communicate honestly, understand emotions, recognize their unique value, and consistently earn trust will thrive.
-
Budget honestly for a setup that typically runs $500 to $2,000 before recurring feed and bedding costs.
Adverb
-
These episodes have been triggered by intense heat domes — stubborn areas of high pressure that lock hot air in place — and are clearly supercharged by global warming, experts say.
-
Offensive players There are high expectations on junior running back Dylan Riley in 2026, and EA clearly agrees with his talent.
Cite this Entry
“Plainly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plainly. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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