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
From the dramatic depths of Tycho and Copernicus craters to the smooth plains of Mare Tranquillitatis, each lunar landmark holds clues about the moon's violent past and geological evolution.
—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 25 Oct. 2025
These mammals are found across North America, residing in every kind of habitat from hardwood forests to coastal plains to swamps.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025
Shahjahanpur district, where Pari was found, lies in the fertile, populous plains of north India.
—Aishwarya S. Iyer, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
Up to 2 inches could fall in the Southern Rocky Mountain Front and adjacent foothills and plains.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Iconic species like cheetahs, leopards and the black rhino are found in the plains and forests of Tanzania.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
Aquifers collapsed, fertile plains subsided, and deserts spread.
—Nik Kowsar, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
No wet-plate photograph could capture the color of the northern plains in spring.
—Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
Helene shocked people from the plains and pine forests of Central and Eastern Georgia through scenic mountain vistas in North Carolina and Tennessee.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 25 Oct. 2025
These mammals are found across North America, residing in every kind of habitat from hardwood forests to coastal plains to swamps.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025
Shahjahanpur district, where Pari was found, lies in the fertile, populous plains of north India.
—Aishwarya S. Iyer, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
Up to 2 inches could fall in the Southern Rocky Mountain Front and adjacent foothills and plains.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Iconic species like cheetahs, leopards and the black rhino are found in the plains and forests of Tanzania.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
Aquifers collapsed, fertile plains subsided, and deserts spread.
—Nik Kowsar, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
No wet-plate photograph could capture the color of the northern plains in spring.
—Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
Helene shocked people from the plains and pine forests of Central and Eastern Georgia through scenic mountain vistas in North Carolina and Tennessee.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plains
Noun
-
Hailing from the prairies of North America, this salvia is an end-of-the-season stunner that produces tall spikes of sky-blue flowers in late summer.—
Sheryl Geerts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Sep. 2025
-
In early spring of 2025, the prairies were once again dry, but timely rainfall in mid May recharged wetlands in portions of North Dakota, southeastern Saskatchewan and southwestern Manitoba.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The double-height living room has a striking brick and mirror-paneled fireplace and large expanses of glass.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Vast expanses of aluminum panels and budget glass, slabs that look like they were drawn with a hacksaw, façades checkered with air conditioners, stretches of dead street frontage—the whole neighborhood looks like a first draft.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Mongolia’s vast steppes and nomadic heritage have long shaped the rhythms of life.—
Munkhtuya Rentsenbat,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Garcia-Roves maintains that no expansions have taken place.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The White House has pushed back on the criticism, sending out a press release Tuesday that noted that there was a long legacy of presidential alterations, renovations and expansions of the White House complex.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This is why grasslands are important.—
Lori Ann LaRocco,
CNBC,
21 Oct. 2025
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According to the nonprofit, when trees and shrubs take over grasslands, groundwater and prairie streams get depleted, soil health is compromised, and the bedrock below the grasslands is altered.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Some invasive ornamental grasses include pampas grass, Mexican feather grass, and fountaingrass.—
Miranda Crowell,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
In the savannas of Brazil, the hand of industrialization is mighty.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
13 Oct. 2025
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Located right outside of town in neighboring Moss Point, the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve offers 18,000 acres of pine savannas, salt marshes, bays, bayous, and salt pannes to explore.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
27 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Plains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plains. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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