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
Sitting outside at dusk, toasting s’mores on a small griddle fire while overlooking the desert plains was the perfect American road trip punctuation (particularly after a long, hot steam and sauna).
—
Lara Johnson-Wheeler,
Vogue,
3 July 2026
Since Mary Grace’s death, her parents have poured their energy into persuading lawmakers to make camps safer by banning cabins in active flood plains, mandating 24-7 weather monitoring and requiring rigorous annual evacuation training.
—
Johnny Dodd,
PEOPLE,
1 July 2026
His youth was spent picking cotton in the surrounding plains.
—
Josh Crutchmer,
Rolling Stone,
29 June 2026
The wholesale slaughter on the plains outside Troy is constantly likened to harvest, planting, herding flocks.
—
Alexandra Petri,
The Atlantic,
25 June 2026
Most travelers visit Africa for wildlife moments such as elephants at a waterhole, lions in the grass and rhinos on open plains.
—
Emese MacZko,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
The better severe weather window for the Denver metro area and northeast plains appears to be Tuesday evening into Tuesday night.
—
Joe Ruch,
CBS News,
23 June 2026
This natural compound mined from salt plains and mountains out West is also known as sodium borate, disodium tetraborate, or sodium tetraborate.
—
Quincy Bulin,
Southern Living,
20 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
Lara Johnson-Wheeler,
Vogue,
3 July 2026
Since Mary Grace’s death, her parents have poured their energy into persuading lawmakers to make camps safer by banning cabins in active flood plains, mandating 24-7 weather monitoring and requiring rigorous annual evacuation training.
—
Johnny Dodd,
PEOPLE,
1 July 2026
His youth was spent picking cotton in the surrounding plains.
—
Josh Crutchmer,
Rolling Stone,
29 June 2026
The wholesale slaughter on the plains outside Troy is constantly likened to harvest, planting, herding flocks.
—
Alexandra Petri,
The Atlantic,
25 June 2026
Most travelers visit Africa for wildlife moments such as elephants at a waterhole, lions in the grass and rhinos on open plains.
—
Emese MacZko,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
The better severe weather window for the Denver metro area and northeast plains appears to be Tuesday evening into Tuesday night.
—
Joe Ruch,
CBS News,
23 June 2026
This natural compound mined from salt plains and mountains out West is also known as sodium borate, disodium tetraborate, or sodium tetraborate.
—
Quincy Bulin,
Southern Living,
20 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plains
Noun
-
Nearly 1,500 butterflies will be released back into prairies in Michigan and Manitoba in July.
-
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.
Noun
-
Surrounded by wide open expanses of the Santa Monica Mountains, this modern abode has a direct connection with its surroundings via the sliding doors and casement windows that swing open to beckon in fresh air and sunlight.
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For example, the warmer temperatures in the El Niño region are happening in the context of warmer than normal temperatures across vast expanses in the Pacific.
Noun
-
Similar trends have played out in Central Asian steppes and South American plains.
-
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.
Noun
-
Space exploration is entering a new era, mirroring historical expansions where lasting wealth stemmed from infrastructure, not just initial discoveries.
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Republicans said the expansions from the pandemic era went too far and tried to persuade Democrats to fund a temporary spending bill that didn't address the expiring ACA subsidies, with promises of discussing ways to continue the subsidies later.
Noun
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An unusually dry and hot winter has created dangerously flammable conditions in forests and grasslands across the West.
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The association says the conservation effort will also offer residents and visitors the chance to learn about the historic relationship between bison, grasslands and Indigenous cultures.
Noun
-
This includes savannahs and shrublands.
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Finally, Iris is a tribute to the native plant and flower of the sub-Saharan savannas that giraffes call home.
Cite this Entry
“Plains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plains. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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