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 study added a lot to archaeologists’ knowledge of ancient roads in North Africa, France’s interior plains and the Peloponnese peninsula of Greece — regions that had been under-documented in prior maps.
—
Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
Southern magnolia is native to moist woodlands and bottomlands along the coastal plains where the seeds are eaten by birds and other wildlife.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2025
They could be spread across the Central Valley, coastal plains and the desert—areas with ample space and potential.
—Zoltan Istvan, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
From the Appalachian Mountains to wide Texas plains, these top Dark Sky sanctuaries offer some of the clearest views in the country, according to research shared with Travel + Leisure from Inghams Walking, a travel company specializing in outdoor adventures.
—Dana Sauchelli, Travel + Leisure, 4 Nov. 2025
Models show that between about 15,000 and 19,000 years ago, during a period of warming that ended the last Ice Age, glaciers with ice plains retreated hundreds of meters a day.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Osawatomie to Herington Kansas may be famed for its wide-open plains, but the Flint Hills Trail reveals a wilder, more varied side of the state.
—Erin Gifford, Outside, 30 Oct. 2025
For its plains and contrasts palette, the mélange and colors were inspired by women’s fashion.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
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
Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
Southern magnolia is native to moist woodlands and bottomlands along the coastal plains where the seeds are eaten by birds and other wildlife.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2025
They could be spread across the Central Valley, coastal plains and the desert—areas with ample space and potential.
—Zoltan Istvan, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
From the Appalachian Mountains to wide Texas plains, these top Dark Sky sanctuaries offer some of the clearest views in the country, according to research shared with Travel + Leisure from Inghams Walking, a travel company specializing in outdoor adventures.
—Dana Sauchelli, Travel + Leisure, 4 Nov. 2025
Models show that between about 15,000 and 19,000 years ago, during a period of warming that ended the last Ice Age, glaciers with ice plains retreated hundreds of meters a day.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Osawatomie to Herington Kansas may be famed for its wide-open plains, but the Flint Hills Trail reveals a wilder, more varied side of the state.
—Erin Gifford, Outside, 30 Oct. 2025
For its plains and contrasts palette, the mélange and colors were inspired by women’s fashion.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
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
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
-
Large expanses of seats were unused during the third-bottom home side’s 2-1 defeat to Forest, who are in 17th place, on Tuesday.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Trudging across six lanes of highway, and expanses of parking lot, to reach Soldier Field never had many fans, but there is zero romance in this new spot.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Unlike Argentina’s open steppes, Chilean Patagonia hugs the Pacific coast and is carved by glacial valleys covered in with dense vegetation.—
Eric Sheets,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Dec. 2025
-
The gene expression in the muscle tissue suggested a predominance of slow-twitch muscle fibers indicating the mammoth's muscles were built for stamina, ideal for long, steady travel across the cold, expansive steppes.—
Jay Kakade
December 03,
New Atlas,
3 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
As the United States established dominance on the world stage, the White House grounds changed dramatically, with major expansions to prevent overcrowding and afford the first family and their staff adequate office space on the maximum-security property.—
Kyler Alvord,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Here’s a timeline of some of the city’s most significant announcements of corporate relocations and expansions in Plano.—
Lilly Kersh,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Barns offered the perfect warm, safe environment for such nests but as the farm industry modernized, farmers plowed over grasslands and replaced wooden barns with buildings made from sturdier materials.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
17 Dec. 2025
-
Kentucky Camp sits amid the grasslands that cloak the eastern flanks of the Santa Rita Mountains northwest of Sonoita.—
Roger Naylor,
AZCentral.com,
12 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Serval cats roam savannahs and wetlands.—
Kaicey Baylor,
CBS News,
10 Dec. 2025
-
According to the African Wildlife Foundation, serval cats are most commonly found on savannas and possess long necks and legs that enable them to see over tall grass.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
8 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Plains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plains. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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