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 new, fully customizable itinerary showcases equally powerful landscapes, ranging from the sweeping dunes of Sossusvlei to the vast deserts of Damaraland to the rugged mountains and sprawling plains of Kaokoland.
—
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 3 Sep. 2025
This region, situated to the southeast of Lake Chapala, bordering the state of Michoacán, is characterized by fertile plains and rugged highlands.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
At this time, the entirety of the right side of the lunar disk will be directly illuminated by sunlight, presenting the ancient basaltic plains of Mare Serenitatis and Mare Tranquilitatis to exploration, while its left side will remain veiled in impenetrable darkness.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Officials should more effectively use the latest water-mapping tools to smartly stage water barricades, update evacuation routes, and rewrite playbooks for basements, transit and hospitals in flood plains.
—Matt Reardon, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
Suddenly, around 32 miles southwest of Marfa, the pavement ends, the ground drops away precipitously, and the gentle plains give way to craggy rocks and steep, dramatic mountains.
—Eva Frederick, Travel + Leisure, 26 Aug. 2025
As this activity spreads eastward across the I-25 Corridor and plains, showers and thunderstorms will increase in coverage.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
The train winds through the Great Karoo Desert, a sparsely populated area of vast open plains, savannas, and grassland.
—Alesandra Dubin, AFAR Media, 25 Aug. 2025
Between our pristine coasts, dense forests, rolling plains, and ethereal wetlands and marshes, the South is a region rich in natural beauty.
—Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2025
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 3 Sep. 2025
This region, situated to the southeast of Lake Chapala, bordering the state of Michoacán, is characterized by fertile plains and rugged highlands.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
At this time, the entirety of the right side of the lunar disk will be directly illuminated by sunlight, presenting the ancient basaltic plains of Mare Serenitatis and Mare Tranquilitatis to exploration, while its left side will remain veiled in impenetrable darkness.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Officials should more effectively use the latest water-mapping tools to smartly stage water barricades, update evacuation routes, and rewrite playbooks for basements, transit and hospitals in flood plains.
—Matt Reardon, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
Suddenly, around 32 miles southwest of Marfa, the pavement ends, the ground drops away precipitously, and the gentle plains give way to craggy rocks and steep, dramatic mountains.
—Eva Frederick, Travel + Leisure, 26 Aug. 2025
As this activity spreads eastward across the I-25 Corridor and plains, showers and thunderstorms will increase in coverage.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
The train winds through the Great Karoo Desert, a sparsely populated area of vast open plains, savannas, and grassland.
—Alesandra Dubin, AFAR Media, 25 Aug. 2025
Between our pristine coasts, dense forests, rolling plains, and ethereal wetlands and marshes, the South is a region rich in natural beauty.
—Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plains
Noun
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The exhibit will feature fossils from the museum’s collection that show how ancient sea creatures once thrived where today’s prairies and towns stand, the release said.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Aug. 2025
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The spiders prefer undisturbed lands to nest, so the vast prairies on the Comanche National Grassland make ideal habitats, Visit La Junta says.—
Gary Stoller,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Backcountry exploration When people seek a break from the pace of modern life and the demands of being digitally connected, national parks contain expanses of backcountry, where signs of civilization are sparse, and where profound natural beauty, adventure and solitude are still available.—
Jeffrey C. Hallo,
The Conversation,
4 Sep. 2025
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Much of the rest of the hike was dry and traversed gentle gravel bars or smooth limestone expanses, skirting the edges of grassy bluffs and rocky cliffs.—
Eva Frederick,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Unfolding in epic scale, Kazakhstan is where wild horses gallop across boundless steppes, and salt lakes shimmer in hues of pink and silver.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
In June 2008, it was revealed that two expansions — Heart of the Swarm and Legacy of the Void — would continue the campaign of Wings of Liberty, the base-game StarCraft 2 release.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Position for Continued Growth Thriving is more than just meeting immediate needs, planning big events, or building expansions.—
Rachelle Rutherford,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The early-morning thunderstorms that rumbled across the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys Tuesday also produced nearly 10,000 dry lightning strikes, sparking wildfires from the Mother Lode to the grasslands of eastern Sacramento County.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Gangly giraffes punctuated the grasslands like goofy exclamation points.—
The Editors,
Outside,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Some invasive ornamental grasses include pampas grass, Mexican feather grass, and fountaingrass.—
Miranda Crowell,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The train winds through the Great Karoo Desert, a sparsely populated area of vast open plains, savannas, and grassland.—
Alesandra Dubin,
AFAR Media,
25 Aug. 2025
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From the rainforests of Central and South America to the savannas of northern Australia, the world’s equatorial regions are home to thousands of unique bird species, from macaws to toucans to hummingbirds, who thrive in hot and humid environments.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Plains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plains. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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