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
These parts of the outback are known for cracking clay plains, ephemeral waterways, scorching summers and dramatic cycling between drought and flood.
—
Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
There, buffalo roamed free within the ancient ruins of Magna Graecia in the low, alluvial plains just outside of Naples.
—Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
Prior to European expansion and colonization in the West, two different wolf ecotypes — one at home on the plains and one more suited to mountainous terrain — may have met in Wyoming.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 11 June 2026
With the greatest risk from Denver International Airport and Aurora spreading out over the Colorado plains to Burlington.
—Dave Aguilera, CBS News, 8 June 2026
Ranging from seemingly endless desert plains to rugged mountain ranges, the region is filled with scenic drives, plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure, and best of all, wide-open spaces that let the imagination roam free.
—Gabi De La Rosa, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2026
The largest risk looms on the northeastern plains, forecasters said.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 7 June 2026
They are found in every ecosystem, from desert to forest, from mountainous elevations to the plains.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 4 June 2026
This 70-million-year-old predator didn’t stalk herds on the plains.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026
Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
There, buffalo roamed free within the ancient ruins of Magna Graecia in the low, alluvial plains just outside of Naples.
—Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
Prior to European expansion and colonization in the West, two different wolf ecotypes — one at home on the plains and one more suited to mountainous terrain — may have met in Wyoming.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 11 June 2026
With the greatest risk from Denver International Airport and Aurora spreading out over the Colorado plains to Burlington.
—Dave Aguilera, CBS News, 8 June 2026
Ranging from seemingly endless desert plains to rugged mountain ranges, the region is filled with scenic drives, plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure, and best of all, wide-open spaces that let the imagination roam free.
—Gabi De La Rosa, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2026
The largest risk looms on the northeastern plains, forecasters said.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 7 June 2026
They are found in every ecosystem, from desert to forest, from mountainous elevations to the plains.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 4 June 2026
This 70-million-year-old predator didn’t stalk herds on the plains.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plains
Noun
-
There were no forests or prairies—land was largely dominated by slimy microbial mats.—
Taylor Mitchell Brown,
Scientific American,
25 Nov. 2025
-
Hemmed by the Plains and the Pacific Northwest, Montana is a patchwork of prairies and mountains, with rivers running through it; about 30% percent of the state is federally owned.—
Jon Wertheim,
CBS News,
24 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
This is not even considering the dedication of vast expanses of farmland to solar farms.—
Louise Schiavone,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
The Okefenokee swamp's prairies are vast, watery expanses dotted with floating islands and stands of cypress and other trees.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Similar trends have played out in Central Asian steppes and South American plains.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
1 June 2026
-
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.—
The Editors,
Outside,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Corporate and commercial expansions like The Bowl at Ballantyne have further transformed the south Charlotte neighborhood.—
Laura Horne,
Charlotte Observer,
16 June 2026
-
As analyzed in work on conservative ideology, many on the right view scientific agencies as closely intertwined with expansions of environmental, health, and social regulation, and therefore treat challenges to those agencies as part of a broader effort to restrain government.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
When the climate became wetter, the cloud forests grew back upward in isolated spots surrounded by grasslands.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Dec. 2025
-
This nonprofit retreat is home to regenerated grasslands, revived native trout streams, and thriving populations of bison, elk, and wild horses.—
Kristin Songy Diehl,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Landlocked, it's surrounded by Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil and known for vast savannas, lush landscapes and the indigenous Guarani culture.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 June 2026
-
Earth’s biosphere includes microbes, forests, savannas, animals, and more.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plains. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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