Thesaurus results for PLAINS

plains

noun

Definition of plains

plural of plain

as in prairies

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

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as in expanses

a wide space or area the vast plains of snow-covered earth that seemed to stretch endlessly

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 plains Here, age-old traditions fuse with contemporary flavors, archaeological marvels meet modernist museums, rugged peaks are juxtaposed against verdant plains, and stretches of sandy shorelines lead to charming inland villages. — Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026 The mission includes prairies, plains, and mountains, where helicopters need to fly over remote areas at any time of day. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026 Pleasure-seekers would travel by train to open prairies and plains to watch decommissioned locomotives crash into each other. — Caitlín Doherty, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026 Tycho Crater is visible in the lower region of the lunar disk close to the shadow, while bright ejecta rays of reflective material brighten the darker lunar seas, where lava solidified to form basaltic plains billions of years ago. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Away from both sides of the road stretched rocky plains, dry and gray as parchment. — Leslie E. Tassell, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2026 The good news is for areas near Denver and the northeastern plains. — Dave Aguilera, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026 That’s what pulled me to the plains of north-central Spain last week. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 17 Aug. 2026 Harry and Meghan’s children even chose the color of their elephants’ collars, which will help the organization track them across the plains of northern Botswana. — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 17 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for plains

Noun

Radical Change Several decades ago, in the dry prairies of eastern Washington, Pamela Soltis and Douglas Soltis began tracking a polyploidy event.

— Carrie Arnold Contributing, Quanta Magazine, 2 Sep. 2026
The mission includes prairies, plains, and mountains, where helicopters need to fly over remote areas at any time of day.

— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of prairies

Noun

Pale stone, dramatically veined marble, warm wood and expanses of mirror are found throughout the flagship, with linear lighting integrated into ceilings and fixtures.

— Miles Socha, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
Curving terraces wrap around the structure, while large expanses of glass provide sweeping views over the landscape.

— Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of expanses

Noun

Historical legacy is not destiny, and Russia’s excesses cannot be blamed solely on its ties to the political culture of the steppes.

— Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
The unification of the Eurasian steppes under Genghis Khan and his successors—Ögödei, Möngke, and Kublai Khan—brought many of these trade routes under a single political authority for the first time.

— Ethan Teekah, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of steppes

Noun

But as the years passed and the historic farm in Gladstone underwent expansions and ownership changes, eventually landing in the hands of the city, it was transformed into a historical landmark and museum.

— Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026
The expansions at Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids and Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital are focused on two fast-growing regions of Michigan.

— Paula Wethington, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of expansions

Noun

Set in British Columbia’s Thompson Valley, the city is surrounded by rolling hills, rivers, and grasslands—a noticeable change from the coastal forests seen earlier in the day.

— Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026
Today, the 558,000-acre reserve works to rehabilitate forests, grasslands, streams, and former mining areas while restoring native wildlife.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of grasslands

Noun

The center of the activities was a grove, within a ring of trees, considered to be one of the oldest oak savannas in the state.

— Gregory Harutunian, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
The new property is nestled inside a 45,000-acre private conservancy with open savannahs and waterholes nearby.

— Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 8 July 2026

Definition of savannas

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“Plains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plains. Accessed 8 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of plains

noun

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