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plain

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adverb

plain

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word plain distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of plain are candid, frank, and open. While all these words mean "showing willingness to tell what one feels or thinks," plain suggests outspokenness and freedom from affectation or subtlety in expression.

plain talk

When could candid be used to replace plain?

Although the words candid and plain have much in common, candid suggests expression marked by sincerity and honesty especially in offering unwelcome criticism or opinion.

a candid appraisal

When might frank be a better fit than plain?

In some situations, the words frank and plain are roughly equivalent. However, frank stresses lack of shyness or secretiveness or of evasiveness from considerations of tact or expedience.

frank discussions

How does the word open relate to other synonyms for plain?

Open implies frankness but suggests more indiscretion than frank and less earnestness than candid.

open in saying what they think

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
Adjective
Back home, kids' meals in New Jersey cost anywhere from $12, $16 or recently, $20 for a plain bowl of spaghetti. Leigh Scheps, Parents, 21 July 2025 In the post’s third slide, Mahomes posed alongside her husband Patrick Mahomes, and their two children, Sterling and Bronze, while wearing a plain T-shirt, black shorts, and a fuss-free crossbody bag perfect for days spent chasing little ones. Averi Baudler, People.com, 20 July 2025
Adverb
But in Europe, including Poland, the bagel is not coming back in its original version—served and eaten plain—but in its New York rendition, with toppings like cream cheese and lox. Olga Mecking, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 July 2025 Plus, this movie, written by Richard Matheson, is just plain exciting as hell. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 June 2025
Noun
The campground sits on land designated as a flood plain. New York Times, 11 July 2025 Iceland is an astrobiologist’s dream — rife with active volcanic landscapes, basaltic plains and lava tunnels that have repeatedly been used by NASA as a stand in for Mars. Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for plain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plain
Adjective
  • Looking for their environmental DNA in scales, slime or skin cells that living beings shed all the time is a simpler way, Workman said.
    Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 24 July 2025
  • The simple solution is wearing regular ballet flats, whether they’re made from leather, satin, or something else.
    Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • Cam, 40, inhabits a space similar to Brandi Carlile, her appealing songs making their point in a pure, expressive voice.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 23 July 2025
  • This remains pure conjecture, and an exaggeration of the role of symbiosis beyond what mainstream evolutionary theory would support; random mutation is still considered the main driver of speciation.
    Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • The outspoken tech tycoon has made waves across the government with his new Department of Government Efficiency, which has slashed jobs and forced employees back into the office.
    Beck Andrew Salgado, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • Scherzer, one of the most outspoken players in the league, was a member of the MLBPA’s eight-player subcommittee, a group that unanimously rejected the current collective bargaining agreement more than three years ago.
    Brittany Ghiroli, New York Times, 30 July 2025
Adjective
  • Watching the Dragon Ball franchise in release order is fairly straightforward.
    Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 24 July 2025
  • Usually, first-round contracts are straightforward, with terms outlined in the collective bargaining agreement.
    Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • Seal obvious gaps around the foundation and under doors, says Bertone.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 28 July 2025
  • The entrepreneur and podcaster David Sacks has shaped dramatic and high-impact shifts in US policy with presidential support but little obvious meddling, and emerged as one of the most effective figures in the administration.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 28 July 2025
Noun
  • Packing in some of the most scenic stretches of America’s prairies and mountains, the route follows parts of the Lewis & Clark Trail.
    Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
  • The bison, who were reintroduced to the prairie in 2022, are part of a plan to naturalize the park’s landscape by restoring the oak savanna and prairie landscape of the past.
    Mars King, Twin Cities, 15 June 2025
Noun
  • On 80 acres, the company built a sprawling, multi-story campus of monumental entryways, soaring atria and expansive terraces overlooking an artificial lagoon and offering, far in the distance across an expanse of water, a view of the downtown Miami skyline.
    Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 18 July 2025
  • Along with a steel and aluminum hull, the new launch offers up an exterior with Baglietto’s classic strong lines, wide glass expanses, and stepped aft deck, which splits across three descending levels that cascade toward a sea-view pool.
    India Brown, Robb Report, 3 July 2025
Adjective
  • This is a great way to spot medical fraud or an honest human error like a miscoding of services.
    Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • And this all starts by surrounding yourself with forward-thinking partners who put your best interest at heart, and who put honest assessment of your needs ahead of racking up a big sale on the trend du jour.
    Tim Ringel, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Plain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plain. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.

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