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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of plainly
The steak tartare is a local legend and the tarta de manzana (apple tart), with its deliciously crisp base, plainly the best in town.
—
Paul Richardson, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026
Iran has plainly stated on multiple occasions that the country does not have or intend to have nuclear weapons.
—Abc News, ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
The court found that the law had no secular purpose but served a plainly religious purpose.
—Hannah Schoenbaum, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026
Speak softly and plainly, so confusion melts away.
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
The palace said plainly last week that Charles would support authorities in their inquiries.
—Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
Sometimes laying out numbers plainly is enough to bring clarity to a murky situation.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 18 Feb. 2026
Three-time national champion and 2014 Olympic medalist Ashley Wagner put it plainly.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2026
Using both old and contemporary footage, the movie captures — often plainly — the perspectives of Odeh’s widow and his daughter, in the form of sit-down interviews that help catch us up on various details.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 17 Feb. 2026
Paul Richardson, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026
Iran has plainly stated on multiple occasions that the country does not have or intend to have nuclear weapons.
—Abc News, ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
The court found that the law had no secular purpose but served a plainly religious purpose.
—Hannah Schoenbaum, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026
Speak softly and plainly, so confusion melts away.
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
The palace said plainly last week that Charles would support authorities in their inquiries.
—Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
Sometimes laying out numbers plainly is enough to bring clarity to a murky situation.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 18 Feb. 2026
Three-time national champion and 2014 Olympic medalist Ashley Wagner put it plainly.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2026
Using both old and contemporary footage, the movie captures — often plainly — the perspectives of Odeh’s widow and his daughter, in the form of sit-down interviews that help catch us up on various details.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 17 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plainly
Adverb
-
Indeed, many technology executives broke with industry norms and openly backed Trump in 2024.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
-
These are articulate, intellectual characters who tend to speak openly about their emotions and even drift into philosophical ruminations.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Saturday’s tweet certainly won’t help Weiss get Mamdani to appear on the network.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Despite many narrow defeats, the reversal of fortune certainly has raised legitimate questions about where the recent dynasty is headed now.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
1 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Fleming yells, laughing but also sincerely horrified.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Dozens of Bay Area mayors, councilmembers and officials signed an open letter calling for Martinez to either sincerely work to repair his relationship with the Jewish community or resign.—
Sierra Lopez,
Mercury News,
21 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Any such deal is surely now completely off the table.—
Javed Ali,
Fortune,
1 Mar. 2026
-
After last fall went so badly off the rails, the wiser play for the Buffs surely would’ve been to wait until this year to re-negotiate — to see what a post-Shedeur/post-Hunter roster looked like.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
28 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
The work makes this absurdity plain.—
Anel Rakhimzhanova,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Plus, topped trees just plain look ugly!—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
22 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Benner said having three children with learning disabilities has definitely impacted her life.—
Mark Curriden,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Feb. 2026
-
And definitely see Sophie in noble clothes going downstairs, that would be really fun.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
27 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
This turn was a delight, quite honestly.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Public‑private partnerships can deliver meaningful benefits when structured carefully and communicated honestly.—
Michelle Grau,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Now Democrats are wrestling with what comes next, and nowhere is that fight playing out more clearly than in this Massachusetts primary.—
Juliegrace Brufke,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Celebrini’s performance so far this season, with 81 points in 55 games, is clearly a big reason why the Sharks are in the mix for their first playoff appearance since 2019.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plainly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plainly. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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