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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in obvious
not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation
let me make my meaning plain
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in openly
in an honest and direct manner
told her plain that he loved her
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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
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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
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Recent Examples of plain
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 27 Oct. 2025
Both the sleeves and hem of the pullover are decorated with ribbing to add contrast to the plain knit of the body, and the yarn is flecked to add vintage charm to this high-quality sweater.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
Journalists threw him all of the usual life rings after Saturday’s 3-1 defeat against Brighton — a lack of experience, damaging injuries, just plain bad luck.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Iconic species like cheetahs, leopards and the black rhino are found in the plains and forests of Tanzania.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for plain
Adjective
Those who prefer their clothing to be a bit plainer can choose a hoodie with a small logo on the chest, sleeve or a couple of small stripes.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 27 Oct. 2025
Both the sleeves and hem of the pullover are decorated with ribbing to add contrast to the plain knit of the body, and the yarn is flecked to add vintage charm to this high-quality sweater.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
Adverb
Forsaking the standard one-and-done episode anthology format, AHS proved that audiences would stick around for the long run, even if the plotlines got gorier, weirder, and sometimes just plain worse.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
Journalists threw him all of the usual life rings after Saturday’s 3-1 defeat against Brighton — a lack of experience, damaging injuries, just plain bad luck.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
Noun
Tiny tornadoes of dust whirl across Mars's rusty plains far faster than scientists thought, a new study reveals.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Iconic species like cheetahs, leopards and the black rhino are found in the plains and forests of Tanzania.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for plain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plain
Adjective
-
While House Republicans can pass legislation with a simple majority vote, Senate Republicans cannot advance most matters without meeting a 60-vote threshold.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Oct. 2025
-
But in stoppage time, Miami was gifted a third goal when Jordi Alba crossed from the left and keeper Willis, colliding with defender Walker Zimmerman, spilled the ball right to Messi, who had the simplest of tap-ins.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Add a blazer, cardigan, or trench on top—this piece is pure versatility with a side of glam.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Companies can also come under attack for pure political gain, as seen in then Republican candidate Ron DeSantis’s confrontation with Disney over LGBTQ rights.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
In her later years, she became known as an outspoken activist for animal rights and for voicing strong, controversial opinions — such as denouncing the #MeToo movement in 2018.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Oct. 2025
-
As Hollywood has grown more outspoken in recent months about the situation in the Middle East, the challenges of convincing its distributors — the lifelines that can take movies from obscurity to national recognition — remain.—
Rebecca Keegan,
NBC news,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
There’s a timelessness to these spaces, but the feelings the images evoke are more nuanced and uneasy than straightforward nostalgia.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The process to reimagine the Wild West in the 21st Century wasn’t always straightforward, Dow said.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
With its investments in AI infrastructure and obvious strengths on the power front, this is a country that is building out data centers and positioning itself as a hub for AI, entertainment, sports, finance, high-tech manufacturing and more.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
-
The analyst pointed to Azure, Microsoft's cloud computing platform, as an obvious artificial intelligence beneficiary.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
27 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Parents should discuss digital safety openly.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
25 Oct. 2025
-
That tension brings the conversation back to Mamdani, whose campaign, Piker argues, has tested those boundaries more openly than most.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Badlands, North Dakota North Dakota’s Badlands is known for its rugged landscape, including sweeping hills, prairie grasses, canyons and rock formations, as well as native wildlife.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Salvias and native prairie plants should only have a thin layer of mulch and don't need any if plantings are dense.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
At the Wagner Ranch property, the trust would raise funds — mostly through private donations, the trust said — to extensively restore and maintain the expanse with an eye to protecting the habitat-rich landscape.—
Bay City News Service,
Mercury News,
25 Oct. 2025
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But hurricane hunters can fly only so many missions, and most storms develop in places that aircraft can’t safely reach, such as over vast ocean expanses.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Plain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plain. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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