1
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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2
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
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Recent Examples of plains
The coaster’s backstory incorporates the name of the village — named for the storms that sweep across the plains — and a local unbeatable bull that the matadors nicknamed Tormenta for his fierce strength and incredible speed.
—
Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 19 June 2026
The lyrics chronicle life on the plains and the mining of bauxite, the world’s primary source of aluminum.
—Cassidy Sollazzo, Pitchfork, 19 June 2026
Just south of Alice Springs, in the dead centre of Australia, the MacDonnell Ranges rise from the desert plains like creases on a tablecloth.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 14 June 2026
For decades, a safari in Kenya meant early morning game drives across the vast plains of the Masai Mara in search of leopards, lions and cheetah.
—Judy Koutsky, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
There, buffalo roamed free within the ancient ruins of Magna Graecia in the low, alluvial plains just outside of Naples.
—Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
Prior to European expansion and colonization in the West, two different wolf ecotypes — one at home on the plains and one more suited to mountainous terrain — may have met in Wyoming.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 11 June 2026
With the greatest risk from Denver International Airport and Aurora spreading out over the Colorado plains to Burlington.
—Dave Aguilera, CBS News, 8 June 2026
Ranging from seemingly endless desert plains to rugged mountain ranges, the region is filled with scenic drives, plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure, and best of all, wide-open spaces that let the imagination roam free.
—Gabi De La Rosa, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2026
Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 19 June 2026
The lyrics chronicle life on the plains and the mining of bauxite, the world’s primary source of aluminum.
—Cassidy Sollazzo, Pitchfork, 19 June 2026
Just south of Alice Springs, in the dead centre of Australia, the MacDonnell Ranges rise from the desert plains like creases on a tablecloth.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 14 June 2026
For decades, a safari in Kenya meant early morning game drives across the vast plains of the Masai Mara in search of leopards, lions and cheetah.
—Judy Koutsky, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
There, buffalo roamed free within the ancient ruins of Magna Graecia in the low, alluvial plains just outside of Naples.
—Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
Prior to European expansion and colonization in the West, two different wolf ecotypes — one at home on the plains and one more suited to mountainous terrain — may have met in Wyoming.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 11 June 2026
With the greatest risk from Denver International Airport and Aurora spreading out over the Colorado plains to Burlington.
—Dave Aguilera, CBS News, 8 June 2026
Ranging from seemingly endless desert plains to rugged mountain ranges, the region is filled with scenic drives, plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure, and best of all, wide-open spaces that let the imagination roam free.
—Gabi De La Rosa, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plains
Noun
-
State biologists also consider prescribed burns, 88,000 of which take place each year, as essential for restoring prairies, forests and marshes with new growth.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 June 2026
-
Over 50 miles of trails lead through sand dunes, woodlands, prairies, and lush wetlands across the park’s 16,000 acres, and the ecological diversity is surprising for such a dense acreage.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
This is not even considering the dedication of vast expanses of farmland to solar farms.—
Louise Schiavone,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
The Okefenokee swamp's prairies are vast, watery expanses dotted with floating islands and stands of cypress and other trees.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Similar trends have played out in Central Asian steppes and South American plains.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
1 June 2026
-
Longer-running hiking trips take you everywhere from Western Greenland to the sea cliffs of the Faroe Islands, the steppes of Mongolia, or the Tien Shan Mountains of Kyrgyzstan.—
The Editors,
Outside,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Corporate and commercial expansions like The Bowl at Ballantyne have further transformed the south Charlotte neighborhood.—
Laura Horne,
Charlotte Observer,
16 June 2026
-
The million-dollar-plus donations by local billionaire philanthropists, who are aging and may need medical treatment themselves, are aimed at improving cancer care, funding research to prevent and treat diseases, fueling major hospital expansions, and adding specialized pediatric care.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Miami Herald,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
In the San Luis Valley, ranchers have long spread water over their grasslands when temperatures start to freeze to create a sheet of ice over the vegetation.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
18 June 2026
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Increasing appreciation and awareness of America's grasslands is key to accelerating conservation action, according to the coalition.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
This includes savannahs and shrublands.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
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Finally, Iris is a tribute to the native plant and flower of the sub-Saharan savannas that giraffes call home.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plains. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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