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
Observing tips The lunar disk is entirely bereft of shadows during the full moon phase, making this the perfect time to trace the outline of lunar maria — where lava flows filled colossal impact basins billions of years ago before hardening to form sweeping basaltic plains.
—
Anthony Wood, Space.com, 1 May 2026
For almost 10 years, Josh and Sarah Kimbrough have worked to build a home on the windswept high plains of Colorado’s rugged South Park.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
Communities like Fort Collins, Greeley, and parts of the northeast plains may see very little rainfall—generally less than a quarter inch.
—Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
This 155-kilometer valley in Jujuy Province, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003, has served as a trade and migration route for some 10,000 years, linking the high Andean plateau with the plains below.
—Carla Vianna, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Apr. 2026
The Midwest has no shortage of wide-open highways, but what makes a plains-state drive memorable are the gloriously strange things waiting just off the interstate.
—Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2026
Scattered across the plains — from Kansas to Minnesota to Illinois — are some of the most wonderfully weird roadside stops in the country.
—Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
The view then begins to shift as the train enters southeastern Colorado, passing small towns and rolling plains that gradually give way to more rugged terrain.
—Abby Price, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2026
Anthony Wood, Space.com, 1 May 2026
For almost 10 years, Josh and Sarah Kimbrough have worked to build a home on the windswept high plains of Colorado’s rugged South Park.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
Communities like Fort Collins, Greeley, and parts of the northeast plains may see very little rainfall—generally less than a quarter inch.
—Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
This 155-kilometer valley in Jujuy Province, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003, has served as a trade and migration route for some 10,000 years, linking the high Andean plateau with the plains below.
—Carla Vianna, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Apr. 2026
The Midwest has no shortage of wide-open highways, but what makes a plains-state drive memorable are the gloriously strange things waiting just off the interstate.
—Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2026
Scattered across the plains — from Kansas to Minnesota to Illinois — are some of the most wonderfully weird roadside stops in the country.
—Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
The view then begins to shift as the train enters southeastern Colorado, passing small towns and rolling plains that gradually give way to more rugged terrain.
—Abby Price, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plains
Noun
-
Bison are a keystone species to North American prairies.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Custer Gallatin National Forest Some of the state’s first blooms arrive in Custer Gallatin National Forest, which has low-elevation prairies and foothills.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In these plans, recalled Douglas Vakoch, president of Messaging Extraterrestrial Intelligence (METI) International in San Francisco, huge diagrams would be etched on large expanses of land here on Earth.—
Leonard David,
Space.com,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Large expanses of glass keep the outdoors in constant view, so the house shifts with the light throughout the day.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Folktales are filled with people fighting to survive in forests, steppes, and deserts, and evading and outwitting the wild beasts that dwell within them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Population growth is fueling the need for expansions, Sapp said, as Catholics are among the many people relocating to Charlotte from the Midwest and Northeast.—
Desiree Mathurin
April 28,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
-
More expansions in the near term In the near term, Wall Street thinks the company will continue vertical investments and expansions, both upstream and downstream from its core GPU business.—
Tobias Burns,
CNBC,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There were woodlands, grasslands and ponds for ducks and geese and other birds to enjoy.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Here, golden grasslands replace waterfalls, and the horizon seems to stretch forever.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Earth’s biosphere includes microbes, forests, savannas, animals, and more.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Elephants are among the planet’s most majestic creatures, gentle giants who walk steadfastly through the savannas, forests and deserts of Africa and Asia.—
Catherine Garcia,
TheWeek,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plains. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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