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
Chaunie Brusie, Parents, 2 June 2025
Retaliation is Trump’s plain purpose, the lawsuit argues.
—David Bauder, Twin Cities, 28 May 2025
Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 22 May 2025
The tidal wave of deals means the 13 times multiple on Goldman Sachs stock is just plain silly.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 21 May 2025
Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 20 May 2025
On the background of their ceaseless journey is the glorious Venetian plains, landscapes and settlements that seem to be stuck in a transitionary space, like Carlobianchi and Doriano, somewhere between urban and pastoral.
—Tomris Laffly, Variety, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for plain
Adjective
My mom rocked her plain white canvas sneakers through her four years at Michigan State University (that's her in the picture on the day the Olympic torch was run through the MSU campus in 1984).
—Chaunie Brusie, Parents, 2 June 2025
Retaliation is Trump’s plain purpose, the lawsuit argues.
—David Bauder, Twin Cities, 28 May 2025
Adverb
The event took the idea of a celebration of life to heart—guests wore pastel colors and the run of show included eulogy-turned-comedy acts all about Caliente, as well as roasts that walked the line between dark humor and just plain dark.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 22 May 2025
The tidal wave of deals means the 13 times multiple on Goldman Sachs stock is just plain silly.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 21 May 2025
Noun
The aim is to also create initiatives to educate and lead creatives and young brands to a different plain in this new era of fashion.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 20 May 2025
On the background of their ceaseless journey is the glorious Venetian plains, landscapes and settlements that seem to be stuck in a transitionary space, like Carlobianchi and Doriano, somewhere between urban and pastoral.
—Tomris Laffly, Variety, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for plain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plain
Adjective
-
Serving clients around the globe, ACE operates with a simple but powerful mission: to help individuals and companies navigate aircraft transactions with confidence, clarity, and efficiency.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
5 June 2025
-
Better yet, this was all relatively simple to accomplish and extremely user intuitive.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
Perhaps the truth, however, is that Emmanuel-Thomas, in pure sporting terms, has always been something of a puzzle.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
-
Vionic Uptown Loafer The Vionic Uptown Loafers look like pure business on the upper, but the sole offers all the comfort and flexibility of a sneaker.—
Genevieve Cepeda,
Travel + Leisure,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, an outspoken critic of the city’s homeless programs, also has been a longtime supporter of terminating the emergency.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2025
-
These decisions suggest an effort to suppress all but the most overt nationalistic efforts from American artists, a fool’s errand given the outspoken nature of the creative community, and one that is not unfamiliar around the globe.—
Eric Kohn,
HollywoodReporter,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
All that aside, even without the system transfer, using my Switch 2 has been smooth and straightforward.—
Ollie Barder,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
-
Their more straightforward approach is closer to documentary drama, but the effect is not so disparate.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines told Newsweek the most obvious impact from the smoke would be hazy skies, which could contribute to visually beautiful sunrises and sunsets in the affected areas.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
-
But in terms of the excitement and electricity, the parallels between Verlander and Skubal are obvious.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
Adjective
-
Like so many good honest people with common sense who work hard and pay taxes, the Democrat party has abandoned them.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
-
Because spontaneous conversations are harder in a hybrid environment, actively create spaces for honest discussions.—
Ayaskant Sarangi,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
My how that script has flipped as Marchand helps the Panthers chase a second straight Stanley Cup crown.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
7 June 2025
-
After drawing three straight walks to load the bases for Miami, Forbes struck out consecutive batters to escape the jam.—
Cameron Priester,
Sun Sentinel,
7 June 2025
Adjective
-
The man dropped to the ground and was arrested without any apparent resistance in the video that Osante filmed.—
Colleen Slevin,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2025
-
Wolff did admit that seeing the positives were difficult, aside from the apparent step in tire management.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Plain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plain. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share