1
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
2
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of plainness
That plainness, though, adds to the sense that Death in the Family isn’t packing in unnecessary frills, just conveying what happened and following the facts.
—
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plainness
Noun
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This honesty, perhaps counterintuitively, allows for a new sense of vulnerability.—
Naomi Fry,
New Yorker,
21 Feb. 2026
-
What does not depend on anything is the need for preparation, honesty and experience.—
Allen Buchanan,
Oc Register,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
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California’s Napa Valley is prized for its vineyard views and quiet country roads, which create a relaxed atmosphere that blends rural simplicity with polished sophistication.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Ohtani shortened the name to Decoy for simplicity.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Chinese member Jingxiang Ma describes himself as hardworking and passionate, while the youngest member, 17-year-old Kyungbae Seo, brings a mix of raw talent and sincerity that resonated with viewers.—
Rebecca Cairns,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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But Nick has this absolute sincerity.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But a triptych of photographs that were released last month, showing Andrew apparently on the floor of Epstein’s New York town house, have a terrible directness.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
16 Feb. 2026
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Known for his candor, Foran once famously told reporters that most of Walmart’s stores were not up to standard, breaking with a company culture that didn’t prize such directness.—
Phil Wahba,
Fortune,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The cast rises to the challenge of Churchill’s rapid-fire, often overlapping dialogue, with comedic highlights including Pope Joan’s coarse frankness and Dull Gret’s unexpected interjections.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
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The future king addressed his personal introspective journey with frankness and awareness, an openness unusual for the royal family, which is traditionally reserved on many topics including difficult emotions and mental health.—
Stefania Conrieri,
Vanity Fair,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Her question, in Lipe-Smith’s inquisitive piccolo of a voice, is heartbreaking in its blend of straightforwardness and desperate desire, as is her mother’s wavering response.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Both quarterbacks revisited that period with apparent bluntness.—
Daniel Brown,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
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She’s built a career on candid takes about relationships, work and the absurdities of everyday life, delivered with her trademark mix of bluntness and charm.—
Travis Pinson,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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WalletHub has studied deferred interest since 2012, periodically flagging retailers that offer the loans and rating their financing offers on transparency and forthrightness.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
28 Nov. 2025
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Monique’s penchant for forthrightness, almost to the point of abruptness, is what makes her reintegration to the cast fascinating already.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
Vulture,
24 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Plainness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plainness. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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