1
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
2
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plainly
Adverb
-
This digging did not start, but was certainly accelerated by the U.S. decision to cut 83 percent of all foreign assistance programs.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025 -
The voice behind all of the above titles is certainly recognizable in Étoile.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
23 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
The Kremlin has been giving the U.S. and Ukraine a run-around on ceasefire proposals, pushing maximalist demands and reneging on agreements while maintaining that Russia sincerely desires peace.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Apr. 2025
-
No end-times scenario—however sincerely held—gives us permission to turn away from injustice.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
And Ipswich’s relegation will surely be confirmed on Saturday away at Newcastle United.—
Michael Walker,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2025
-
This surely explains why, in the course of the past week, the President has been escalating his threats and targeting its endowment directly by suggesting in a social-media post that Harvard should lose its tax-exempt status.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
That’s plain wrong, and the justices ought to be ashamed.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Nobody ever took a belt to Natalia and the allegations that she was ‘beaten’ are just plain false.—
Lynsey Eidell,
People.com,
19 Mar. 2025
Adverb
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While history is definitely a hallmark of this quaint riverfront community, it is also known for gorgeous state parks and outdoor attractions, a lively arts and culture scene, and excellent local downtown shopping.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
21 Apr. 2025
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Watching that film with the context of this series definitely helps make Cassian's entire story feel complete.—
DeVonne Goode,
Parents,
21 Apr. 2025
Adverb
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Harvard’s refusal to comply with numerous demands from the U.S. Government reveals a fundamental principle too often forgotten in leadership circles: organizational integrity requires the courage of its leaders to clearly draw boundaries and defend them unequivocally.—
Dan Pontefract,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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Roach is, clearly, among fashion’s most powerful pedagogues.—
Daniel Rodgers,
Vogue,
15 Apr. 2025
Adverb
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The bridge [took] a few takes, but honestly, the song itself happened quite fast – all the mixing and that.—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Venus-Neptune conjunction in Aries on May 2: Meet each other more honestly.—
Colin Bedell,
Them.,
25 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
That sure seems like the king of all tells that the Wild aren’t going to wait for Buium to be an injury replacement or series momentum-shifter out of the bullpen a game or two in.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
18 Apr. 2025
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Get a first look at Feldman’s character below — Pete sure is happy about Kyle’s visit!—
Vlada Gelman,
TVLine,
17 Apr. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Plainly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plainly. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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