1
as in simple
free from all additions or embellishment
I like my hamburgers plain, with no ketchup or relish just give us the plain facts and none of your snide comments
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pure
free from added matter
I'd prefer my pasta plain, not flavored with tomato or spinach or anything else
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in outspoken
free in expressing one's true feelings and opinions
their piano teacher is honest and plain, if not always tactful
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in straightforward
going straight to the point clearly and firmly
a plain report on the current situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in obvious
not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation
let me make my meaning plain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in openly
in an honest and direct manner
told her plain that he loved her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in prairie
a broad area of level or rolling treeless country
the first settlers in that area lived on the vast plains in lonely log cabins
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in expanse
a wide space or area
the vast plains of snow-covered earth that seemed to stretch endlessly
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 plain
William Jones,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 June 2026
External SSDs might look plain on the outside, but this Western Digital 1TB portable drive is shockingly fast under its drop-resistant chassis.
—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
29 June 2026
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
17 June 2026
This is Sunday’s box score, plain as day.
—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
15 June 2026
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 June 2026
The coaster’s backstory incorporates the name of the village — named for the storms that sweep across the plains — and a local unbeatable bull that the matadors nicknamed Tormenta for his fierce strength and incredible speed.
—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for plain
Adjective
For families trying to understand who can file, what records to gather, and how Texas courts evaluate wrongful death economic damages, reviewing a plain-language overview of the Texas Wrongful Death Act is a solid starting point.
—
William Jones,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 June 2026
External SSDs might look plain on the outside, but this Western Digital 1TB portable drive is shockingly fast under its drop-resistant chassis.
—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
29 June 2026
Adverb
The character of Thomasin was described in the script as plain-faced.
—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
17 June 2026
This is Sunday’s box score, plain as day.
—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
15 June 2026
Noun
Wilderness Little Kulala is about a 45-minute drive outside the park, located in a seemingly desolate rocky plain with harsh, jagged mountains interspersed throughout the flatlands.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 June 2026
The coaster’s backstory incorporates the name of the village — named for the storms that sweep across the plains — and a local unbeatable bull that the matadors nicknamed Tormenta for his fierce strength and incredible speed.
—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for plain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plain
Adjective
-
As for the volunteers, the goal is simple—help someone stay safe before the heat turns into an emergency.
-
Evidence for at-home tools is thinner than for professional manual drainage, but the simplest options can offer mild circulation and surface-lymph support at a low price.
Adjective
-
The World Cup visitors being blown away by all that is America is pure entertainment.
-
Post-split, one Comcast entity will be a pure-play entertainment content company, with NBCUniversal and Sky assets, while the other company will be a leading broadband, cable and wireless provider.
Adjective
-
During the primary the two contenders agreed on most issues, but Valdez argued throughout the campaign that Reynoso wasn't outspoken enough.
-
Jackie and Shadow became internet sensations thanks to the live webcams maintained in their nest by nonprofit organization Friends of Big Bear Valley, which is an outspoken voice for conserving eagle habitat.
Adjective
-
On paper, the outcomes appeared fairly straightforward, though both matches delivered plenty of drama.
-
How the Four-Box Decluttering Method Works The four-box decluttering method is a pretty simple and straightforward one.
Adjective
-
Sure enough, all tires were up and there were no obvious punctures or hissing sounds.
-
One of the first obvious things was that Larry is the guy who told Lincoln to go see that play.
Adverb
-
The big news is that the United States and Iran are no longer openly at war.
-
When someone openly and continuously crosses your land for years, that use can gradually become a permanent legal right called a prescriptive easement.
Noun
-
For outdoor adventurers, nearby Myakka River State Park delivers with a canopy walkway through pineland, prairie, and wetlands.
-
Now, each year, the vineyard brings in roughly 120 to 130 sheep, which rotate through the property’s oak habitat and upland prairie habitat over the course of a few months.
Noun
-
Yet the history of the land — and the people who have resided on the vast expanse that became the United States — stretches back much further.
-
For example, the warmer temperatures in the El Niño region are happening in the context of warmer than normal temperatures across vast expanses in the Pacific.
Cite this Entry
“Plain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plain. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
