PLAINLY Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

plainly

adverb

Definition of plainly

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

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

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 plainly Percy Liang, a computer science professor at Stanford, put it plainly to MIT Technology Review in 2022, when scaling was still the consensus answer to everything. — Terdawn Deboe, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Check the actual cost, state your terms plainly, and choose the option that supports both confidence and stability today without undercutting yourself. — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026 Now in retirement, Wakefield remains a man who isn’t afraid to speak plainly but also won’t overstep in areas outside of his purview. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026 The leaders of the AI revolution are telling us plainly that human skills will command a premium. — Dr. Alan Kadish, New York Daily News, 9 Aug. 2026 The Legislature should say plainly that a building’s shape cannot be a separate environmental harm once its use and density have already passed full review. — Zack Defazio Farrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 July 2026 Presidents often grew frustrated that America’s voice was not plainly on America’s side. — Marc Fisher, New Yorker, 30 July 2026 Name the conflict plainly, offer realistic timing, and protect the commitment that matters most today. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 July 2026 Some of the immigrants wrote HELP in the windows of their cells, plainly visible to anyone walking along the street below. — Thomas Kennedy, Sun Sentinel, 26 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for plainly

Adverb

But prosecutors say Davis’ decision to write his book and speak openly about his story in interviews effectively negated the deal, and the judge in his trial agreed to allow the recording to be played to the jury.

— Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
As public sentiment has begun to more openly embrace the idea of ketamine as a therapeutic aid, Watts has become a prominent advocate.

— Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of openly

Adverb

The young Moroccan caught the eye at the World Cup and certainly has the potential to become one of the best deep-lying midfielders in the game.

— Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Over the past several years, South Korea has emerged as a world-class military power – not quite on the level of the US or China, but certainly capable of defending itself against North Korea.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of certainly

Adverb

Jean is wonderful, a fiercely loyal and maternal figure who sincerely wants to help these women untangle their traumas and get back on their feet.

— Erin Qualey, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026
Colquitt sincerely believes that her work can restore the dignity too often denied people in their last days.

— John Semley, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026

Definition of sincerely

Adverb

Two of their best relievers surely would have helped, but each was used so much during the summer win streak that elbow soreness sidelined them.

— Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
The neighborhood Just moments from Lamb’s Conduit Street and directly behind the British Museum, the location is surely hard to beat for those seeking a truly London experience.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of surely

Adverb

Sarah and Billo were plain-sailing people who didn’t pursue beauty or seek out texture, whereas Fanny was an exquisite snob without the circumstances to support such haughtiness.

— Claire Carusillo, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
Further, the most recent version of a Flyers black sweater was just plain ugly.

— The Athletic NHL Staff, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of plain

Adverb

The first two episodes of this season served as a kind of warm-up, catching us up with Ted and introducing us to the new team, but that’s clearly over.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026
Arteta is clearly skilled at fostering a sense of togetherness and unity among the squad.

— James McNicholas, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of clearly

Browse Nearby Words

plain Janes

plainly

plainness

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“Plainly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plainly. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of plainly

adverb

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