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
Relevance
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
-
Few modern conflicts have certainly sparked as much global outrage, division, and scrutiny as the war in Gaza — not just because of the war’s scale, but for the staggering human toll on civilians.—
Andy Meek,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025 -
At $1,500, the 10 Recumbent Bike is certainly an investment.—
Sara Coughlin,
SELF,
1 July 2025
Adverb
-
At sentencing, Woods’ attorney reiterated that Woods sincerely believed the block was about to erupt in gunfire and said his client has almost no criminal history, save for a years-old misdemeanor conviction.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
9 June 2025
-
For all the pushback, if district residents sincerely want a voice in Congress that can cast actual votes any time soon, retrocession is probably their best bet.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
13 June 2025
Adverb
-
And with your newfound glow, your bridal glam will surely appear more luminous.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
1 July 2025
-
And anyone who watched the first Test will surely agree that the primacy of Test and international cricket should still be paramount.—
Paul Newman,
New York Times,
30 June 2025
Adverb
-
So how about just a plain old four years and $100 million?—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
26 June 2025
-
The artwork is surrounded by a plain white section on three sides and a black rectangle spangled with white crosses, which might have indicated the threshold of a doorway.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
26 June 2025
Adverb
-
The Mandalorian and Andor are done (Mando with its movie), The Acolyte was cancelled, The Book of Boba Fett is definitely dead.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
Miley Cyrus knows how to strike a pose and her pal supermodel Naomi Campbell definitely knows the ins and outs of looking glamorous.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
30 June 2025
Adverb
-
Michigan clearly saw Meadows as one of the top edge prospects in the class and prioritized him accordingly.—
Austin Meek,
New York Times,
9 July 2025
-
There are clearly opportunities to further develop this unique site as a transboundary reserve with North Korea.—
Saleem H. Ali,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
Adverb
-
And honestly, Evans’ hot takes rarely rise above room temperature.—
Rick Stroud,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 July 2025
-
As The Change Room panel spoke menopause—openly, honestly, and without shame.—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
7 July 2025
Adverb
-
The deli sure noticed the outpouring of care…and the rush of customers the news of closing brought.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
28 June 2025
-
So sure, if Elon Musk wants to use his resources to do that, great.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
8 June 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Plainly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plainly. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
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