PLAINNESS Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

plainness

noun

Definition of plainness

as in honesty

the free expression of one's true feelings and opinions his unabashed plainness in telling people exactly what he thought of them was often offensive

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in simplicity

the quality or state of having a form or structure of few parts or elements the plainness and clean lines of that coffeemaker make it a piece of modern sculpture as well as a kitchen appliance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 plainness The sheer fact of filming fills a frame, even one composed with quasi-documentary plainness, with a plethora of details of narrative, expressive, aesthetic, intellectual, and historical import. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 9 July 2026 To understand why men might have adopted a clothing system that prioritized plainness and conformity over color and change, this book investigates the gradual crystallization of this civic uniform of masculinity. — Literary Hub, 25 June 2026 Matthew Arnold, in the 19th century, famously said the qualities of Homer are the plainness, the rapidity, and the nobility. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 23 June 2026 The through-line across all of it – the music, the acting, the international stages – is a pair of principles Lo articulates with plainness. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for plainness

Noun

Daniel and Shaheen bring such confidence and emotional honesty to the roles.

— Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026
A touch of honesty from the family running the show goes a long way.

— Candace Buckner, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of honesty

Noun

Warchus adds that the production’s essential character, built on simplicity rather than spectacle, will not change with the move.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026
The restaurant has survived mostly by word-of-mouth, Quintana said, quite a feat in today’s restaurant landscape, and its simplicity is a stand-out feature among Kansas Citians.

— Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of simplicity

Noun

There’s a tonal tug-of-war in this movie between naughtiness and aching sincerity.

— Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 18 Aug. 2026
Mitchell’s own imitation of Spielbergian life, despite its meticulous re-creation (and gleeful destruction) of eighties suburbia, stumbles into an uncanny valley between sincerity and cynicism, between unintentional comedy and deliberate homage.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of sincerity

Noun

Similar is true of Dan Ndoye, the Swiss international, who has impressed Glasner with his pace and directness since returning from an extended break following World Cup duty.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Marius, approaching 50, is a big doctor in this provincial city, not just a surgeon but the director of the hospital, and a man who prides himself on his directness and honesty.

— Jay Weissberg, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of directness

Noun

As for the universality of her hypnotic, soulful sound and her dynamic, jazzy mezzo-soprano voice, Kidjo’s singing in five languages (Fon, French, Yorùbá, Gen-Mina and English) has forever been key to the funk, its frankness and her grace.

— A.D. Amorosi, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026
Hayden Panettiere, the child actor who rose to stardom in television and also spoke with raw frankness about her struggles with fame and mental health, died Sunday, according to her family.

— Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of frankness

Noun

But the Windows handheld software experience on the Claw is just awful compared to the straightforwardness of SteamOS on the Steam Deck.

— Jay Peters, The Verge, 23 June 2026
On Monday morning, Starmer, whose resignation has appeared inevitable for some time, delivered the news with his customary straightforwardness.

— Sam Knight, New Yorker, 22 June 2026

Definition of straightforwardness

Noun

What Premier League clubs have shifted away from is — and apologies for the bluntness here — tolerating goalkeepers who aren’t good enough at saving shots.

— Michael Cox, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
The Venezuela native never shied away from bluntness — and profanity — in assessing players, plays, games or whatever.

— CBS News, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of bluntness

Browse Nearby Words

plainly

plainness

plains

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“Plainness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plainness. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of plainness

noun

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