1
as in simple
free from all additions or embellishment
I like my hamburgers plain, with no ketchup or relish just give us the plain facts and none of your snide comments
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pure
free from added matter
I'd prefer my pasta plain, not flavored with tomato or spinach or anything else
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in outspoken
free in expressing one's true feelings and opinions
their piano teacher is honest and plain, if not always tactful
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in straightforward
going straight to the point clearly and firmly
a plain report on the current situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in obvious
not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation
let me make my meaning plain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in openly
in an honest and direct manner
told her plain that he loved her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in prairie
a broad area of level or rolling treeless country
the first settlers in that area lived on the vast plains in lonely log cabins
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in expanse
a wide space or area
the vast plains of snow-covered earth that seemed to stretch endlessly
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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
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 plain
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 5 May 2025
There are many causes for hair loss—pregnancy, medication, stress, tight styling, or just plain genetics, to name a few.
—Danielle Cohen, Glamour, 2 May 2025
Tony Blengino, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
The Wireless One Connect Box is a plain black plastic slab with four HDMI ports (one eARC), two USB-A ports, a 3.5mm RS-232C port, an optical audio output, an Ethernet port, and an antenna/cable connector.
—PC Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
Scott Travers, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
Native peoples hunted the great herds on these grassy plains for generations, and the animals were essential to survival.
—Jim Robbins, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for plain
Adjective
Gone are the days when gym bags were plain, bulky duffels that got squeezed into gym lockers.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 5 May 2025
There are many causes for hair loss—pregnancy, medication, stress, tight styling, or just plain genetics, to name a few.
—Danielle Cohen, Glamour, 2 May 2025
Adverb
And just like on offense, their team K/BB profile is plain ugly, with the fewest Ks (193) and 12th most walks (105) in baseball.
—Tony Blengino, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
The Wireless One Connect Box is a plain black plastic slab with four HDMI ports (one eARC), two USB-A ports, a 3.5mm RS-232C port, an optical audio output, an Ethernet port, and an antenna/cable connector.
—PC Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
From the radioactive corridors of nuclear disasters to the harsh plains of Mars, Conan stands as a testament to life's extraordinary resilience—challenging our notions of survivability and inspiring innovations that could redefine our own limits.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
Native peoples hunted the great herds on these grassy plains for generations, and the animals were essential to survival.
—Jim Robbins, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for plain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plain
Adjective
-
Simple Systems: Create ease and flow with simple back-end structures and client journeys.—
Christine Williams,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
-
Style them with a simple tank for a casual day out, or add a blazer and ballet flats for a more polished airport look.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
12 May 2025
Adjective
-
Transform any rejection into pure business motivation and wins.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
-
By pure chance, Prevost was shown on the MLB on FOX broadcast for that game at U.S. Cellular Field on Oct. 22, 2005, and the cameras caught him during the top of the ninth inning as the White Sox were clinching a 5-3 win over the Houston Astros.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2025
Adjective
-
Still others pointed to red being a prominent GOP color, while some urged outspoken Trump hater Mark Hamill (the one and only Luke Skywalker) to comment on the matter.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
4 May 2025
-
What To Know Paul, an outspoken critic of Trump's tariff plans, has positioned himself sharply against the leader of his party by cosponsoring a bill aimed to thwart the president from using emergency powers to implement tariffs.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
Pony Bead Pumpkins Ideal for the autumnal season, this adorable and straightforward seasonal craft uses pipe cleaners and beads to create three-dimensional pumpkins perfect for displaying on the mantle or your Thanksgiving tablescape.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 May 2025
-
The most straightforward data point is the growth rate of gross domestic product, or GDP.—
Erica E. Phillips,
Hartford Courant,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
The lesson is obvious for investors: always consider control systems.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2025
-
That was all too obvious within minutes of his final home game of the season coming to an end on Friday night.—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
17 May 2025
Adjective
-
Comforting touch should be honest and clear – not ambiguous, not tentative and never assumed.—
Brian N. Chin,
The Conversation,
16 May 2025
-
The African American mom, who is married to Polish Canadian Peter Gerber, told Newsweek that their approach to parenting is honest and intentional.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 May 2025
Adjective
-
Again, unlike Carrie, Ortega wore her black hair in a sleek straight blowout, while Carrie’s hair was styled in her blonde wavy hairdo.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
14 May 2025
-
For the third straight year, the Chiefs will play on Christmas.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2025
Adjective
-
On their way home to Melbourne, Cave claims their meal at a local pub was interrupted by an apparent interaction with Cage.—
Tyler Jenke,
Billboard,
9 May 2025
-
Despite some apparent limitations in the group, there’s a dual purpose to their playing time.—
Vahe Gregorian,
Kansas City Star,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Plain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plain. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share