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
Relevance
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
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
Whether your preferred landscape is mountains, deserts, forests, plains, or coastal views, there’s a spring road trip in the United States for you.
—
Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 19 Feb. 2026
They are now found on the coastal plains of Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 Feb. 2026
The success of the Dorobo raid on the lions’ kill was possible because humans have consistently defeated lions over the long history of conflict between our two species on the East African plains.
—Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
The raindrops were embedded with dust from extensive blowing dust and wildfire smoke and ash from strong winds and extreme fire conditions in the central and southern plains, weather officials said.
—Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
Smoke billowed from the plains as a farmer raced to dig a fire line near Hooker, Oklahoma, a video from Jaden Pappenheim at SevereStudios showed.
—Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
Curling, which started in Scotland but grew in popularity after being imported to Canada, where the game proved to be a perfect distraction during long, frigid winters on the plains of Alberta and Saskatchewan, has historically operated on a culture of trust and self-regulation.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
It is located on a ranch in the high plains of New Mexico outside Sante Fe, with stirring views of the Sandia, Ortiz and Sangre de Cristo mountain ranges.
—Allison Aubrey, NPR, 9 Feb. 2026
In 2020, Singita rebuilt this longtime favorite, swapping romantic 1920s-era antique furnishings with a chic minimalism that blends into the grassy plains.
—Jennifer Flowers, AFAR Media, 30 Jan. 2026
Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 19 Feb. 2026
They are now found on the coastal plains of Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 Feb. 2026
The success of the Dorobo raid on the lions’ kill was possible because humans have consistently defeated lions over the long history of conflict between our two species on the East African plains.
—Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
The raindrops were embedded with dust from extensive blowing dust and wildfire smoke and ash from strong winds and extreme fire conditions in the central and southern plains, weather officials said.
—Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
Smoke billowed from the plains as a farmer raced to dig a fire line near Hooker, Oklahoma, a video from Jaden Pappenheim at SevereStudios showed.
—Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
Curling, which started in Scotland but grew in popularity after being imported to Canada, where the game proved to be a perfect distraction during long, frigid winters on the plains of Alberta and Saskatchewan, has historically operated on a culture of trust and self-regulation.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
It is located on a ranch in the high plains of New Mexico outside Sante Fe, with stirring views of the Sandia, Ortiz and Sangre de Cristo mountain ranges.
—Allison Aubrey, NPR, 9 Feb. 2026
In 2020, Singita rebuilt this longtime favorite, swapping romantic 1920s-era antique furnishings with a chic minimalism that blends into the grassy plains.
—Jennifer Flowers, AFAR Media, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plains
Noun
-
Brenna Hernandez European buckthorn grows in sun and shade alike, and thus can invade all kinds of biomes — woodlands , savannas, prairies, pastures, and even empty lots, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources noted.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
It is often found in heavily disturbed sites, such as roadsides, gravel pits and the edges of agricultural fields, but it can also be found in undisturbed dunes, dry prairies, oak and pine woodlands and rangeland.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Under her latest alias, Angel Marcloid offers a beguiling collection of modular synth experiments that cycle between harsh textures and monochromatic expanses.—
Maxie Younger,
Pitchfork,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Nature lovers seeking fresh air and green open spaces will delight in the city’s location directly by the lake, in its abundant expanses of forest and parkland, and in its very own mountain, the Uetliberg.—
Meghan Palmer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Even today, its influence stretches from the steppes of Kazakhstan to the far reaches of low Earth orbit.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Rather than having to find their own sales channels, participating farmers working off tiny plots on mountain steppes can sell their corn to the company at a set price for unified processing, before the corn is sold online and to major distributors.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Many advocates say his legacy on child care includes some unfulfilled promises, though the expansions have been substantial.—
CalMatters,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Decades of unchecked sprawl have left taxpayers footing the bill for costly infrastructure expansions, while natural systems and working lands have disappeared at alarming rates.—
Haley Busch,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The latter roam freely on the islands and are often spotted grazing in the grasslands or galloping over the dunes.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Kenya, which has extensive forests, grasslands and renewable energy resources, hopes to attract foreign investment while ensuring local communities’ benefit.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The park offers one of the most exciting wildlife experiences in Southern Africa, with a million acres of biodiverse savannas, wetlands, and montane rainforests, and a range of animals that includes buffalo herds, lion prides, and an array of birds.—
Lisa Grainger,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The experience there usually involves wide-open savannas and convoys of jeeps lined up to take in the wildebeest and zebras passing through in the millions during the Great Migration.—
Nicholas DeRenzo,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plains. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
