1
as in honesty
the free expression of one's true feelings and opinions
his unabashed plainness in telling people exactly what he thought of them was often offensive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in simplicity
the quality or state of having a form or structure of few parts or elements
the plainness and clean lines of that coffeemaker make it a piece of modern sculpture as well as a kitchen appliance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plainness
Noun
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Some readers may bristle at her honesty, misread her motives, or choose to sit in judgment.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025 -
The film presents addiction and recovery with unflinching honesty, a stark departure from Johnson’s typically inspirational brand.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The unique blend adds a punch of additional tangy flavor that perfectly complements the creaminess and simplicity of basic egg salad.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
26 Sep. 2025
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Clean lines, oversized custom windows, and an airy open-concept design create a modern elegance rooted in simplicity and natural light.—
Miriam Schwartz,
Boston Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The earnestness and sincerity that characterized so much music from the late ’90s were overtaken by the sneering rage of nu metal.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
30 Sep. 2025
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And yet, Lightfoot’s stubborn purity is surely why listeners recognize his sincerity in memorializing such a tragic event.—
John U. Bacon,
Rolling Stone,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The researchers' findings show how recent AI models default to Western-style directness, completely missing the cultural cues that govern everyday interactions for millions of Persian speakers worldwide.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
23 Sep. 2025
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But what makes the Kimmel affair different, and much more chilling, than the dismissal of Colbert is the directness and obviousness of the federal government’s interference.—
Jason Bailey,
Mercury News,
20 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Collier, who was injured during the playoff series, read from a prepared statement that shocked everyone watching—if not for its contents, for its frankness.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
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Though Roan is a total force on stage, polished and magnetic while trouncing around a set made to look like an illustrated fairytale castle, the show is not without her signature frankness.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
21 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Her question, in Lipe-Smith’s inquisitive piccolo of a voice, is heartbreaking in its blend of straightforwardness and desperate desire, as is her mother’s wavering response.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In films like that, the cultural commentary comes more from metaphor than with the bluntness and directness of The Purge.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
29 Sep. 2025
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There’s been a bluntness all season to the Hermits’ chats that ordinarily might grate on me.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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For parents, the name of the game is forthrightness.—
Nona Han,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Plainness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plainness. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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