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
Native to the plains of the United States, buffalo grass is a perennial, warm-season, fast-growing grass seed.
—
Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 4 Apr. 2026
The dry plains of Colorado have enough challenges for farmers this year, but the rising cost of fertilizer is adding to a difficult situation.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
First, find Copernicus shining brightly 10 degrees above the lunar equator, brightening the dark basaltic plains on the western lunar surface, and Tycho, which dominates the southern hemisphere of Earth's natural satellite around the full moon phase.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Unlike the near side -- the side seen from Earth -- which is smoother and has flat lava plains known as maria, the far side is rugged and heavily cratered.
—Bymary Kekatos, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Currently in post-production, Ashland is a feature-length documentary based around the sacred plains of Eastern Montana.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
Originally from South Asia, the blackbuck antelope, also known as the Indian antelope, is native to the plains of India.
—Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
It’s supposed to be rolling plains, prairies … with intermittent tree cover.
—Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
Migrations of these fish, like migrations of buffalo on the American plains once did, shape ecosystems, livelihoods and culture.
—Zeb Hogan, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 4 Apr. 2026
The dry plains of Colorado have enough challenges for farmers this year, but the rising cost of fertilizer is adding to a difficult situation.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
First, find Copernicus shining brightly 10 degrees above the lunar equator, brightening the dark basaltic plains on the western lunar surface, and Tycho, which dominates the southern hemisphere of Earth's natural satellite around the full moon phase.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Unlike the near side -- the side seen from Earth -- which is smoother and has flat lava plains known as maria, the far side is rugged and heavily cratered.
—Bymary Kekatos, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Currently in post-production, Ashland is a feature-length documentary based around the sacred plains of Eastern Montana.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
Originally from South Asia, the blackbuck antelope, also known as the Indian antelope, is native to the plains of India.
—Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
It’s supposed to be rolling plains, prairies … with intermittent tree cover.
—Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
Migrations of these fish, like migrations of buffalo on the American plains once did, shape ecosystems, livelihoods and culture.
—Zeb Hogan, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plains
Noun
-
Palisades State Park Garretson, South Dakota South Dakota is well known for its vast prairies, rugged Badlands and forested Black Hills.—
Joie Probst,
Midwest Living,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Lake County continues to make up for past injustices to the Native Americans who once roamed the area’s prairies and woodlands.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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That's why there's no greater joy in journalism than driving through the great expanses of the West.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The world’s continents are fringed by vast expanses of sand and mud.—
David George Haskell,
Big Think,
27 Mar. 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
-
It’s survived trends, closures, expansions, contractions and Charlotte’s constant identity shifts.—
Timothy DePeugh,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
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This could be one of two major expansions of vocational education in the district.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The grasslands and hillsides act as a vast, uncluttered canvas for their colors, which typically bloom in March and last through April.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The canals are receding back into native grasslands.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
No colonial power had ever controlled the swamps and savannas of the interior—an alien land of lagoons, glade marshes, prairies, and hardwood thickets.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plains. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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