plane 1 of 4

plane

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adjective

plane

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verb (1)

as in to smooth
to make free from breaks, curves, or bumps planed the wood for the picnic table perfectly smooth so that no one would get splinters

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

plane

4 of 4

verb (2)

as in to fly
to move through the air with or as if with outstretched wings an eagle planed effortlessly overhead, gliding on an air current

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective plane contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of plane are even, flat, level, and smooth. While all these words mean "having a surface without bends, curves, or irregularities," plane applies to any real or imaginary flat surface in which a straight line between any two points on it lies wholly within that surface.

the plane sides of a crystal

When could even be used to replace plane?

While the synonyms even and plane are close in meaning, even applies to a surface that is noticeably flat or level or to a line that is observably straight.

trim the hedge so it is even

When is it sensible to use flat instead of plane?

While in some cases nearly identical to plane, flat applies to a surface devoid of noticeable curvatures, prominences, or depressions.

the work surface must be flat

Where would level be a reasonable alternative to plane?

The meanings of level and plane largely overlap; however, level applies to a horizontal surface that lies on a line parallel with the horizon.

the vast prairies are nearly level

When might smooth be a better fit than plane?

In some situations, the words smooth and plane are roughly equivalent. However, smooth applies especially to a polished surface free of irregularities.

a smooth skating rink

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of plane
Noun
Once the plane landed in Phoenix, Ed gave Perreault his business card but Perreault didn't have one to give him in return. Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 24 July 2025 Then after taking on additional fuel and consulting with Delta safety and flight operations officials, the plane left Mexico City for Georgia about three hours later. Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2025
Verb
Our ruling The Republican Party of Juneau County claimed on Facebook that planes full of unvetted refugees were being accepted to the Milwaukee and Madison airports. Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 3 July 2024 All this culminates in a debut album, Addison, that planes down contemporary pop influences into an ooze of familiarity, faintly evoking innovations in underground and alternative music without stepping out of its playlist-friendly lane. Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for plane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plane
Noun
  • On Tuesday, July 22, an ultralight airplane piloted by 75-year-old Sergio Ravaglia crashed onto the pavement of Corda Molle in a hamlet in Azzano Mella, Brescia, before bursting into flames.
    Sam Gillette, People.com, 25 July 2025
  • An airplane flies in the air, and there are two ways to get the internet to connect to such a place: from above or below.
    Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 25 July 2025
Adjective
  • In 2023, gold and the euro were roughly level at around 16.5% as a share of global official reserves on average, a CNBC calculation of ECB data showed.
    Jenni Reid, CNBC, 11 June 2025
  • If teams are level after normal time in any of these knockout matches, then an additional 30 minutes of extra time will be played, split over two halves.
    Will Jeanes, New York Times, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • Birkin famously sketched her ideal bag on an aeroplane sickness bag and the rest is history.
    Kian Bakhtiari, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
  • It is inspired by the extraordinary real-life story of Mathias Rust, a young West German teenager in 1987 who shocked the world by flying through Soviet air defences and landed a Cessna aeroplane right in the middle of the Red Square.
    Annika Pham, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Thumbsticks on both Joy-Con 2s feel smoother, although there's still no use of Hall effect or tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) to eliminate drift risk.
    Matt Kamen, Wired News, 20 July 2025
  • Things were a lot smoother for Royals starter Kris Bubic.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 20 July 2025
Adjective
  • These include flat bonuses, employee discounts, free meals or admissions, and flexible schedules.
    Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
  • So, my ability for my flat serves not only to be coming in at 145 [mph] but also rising above his shoulders is huge.
    Jacob Steinberg, Baltimore Sun, 26 July 2025
Adjective
  • Bad guests consider every horizontal surface to be an appropriate trash receptacle.
    Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • But your eyes will invariably be drawn to the spectacle of a Tourbillon at 6 o’clock, caged within a polished Maltese Cross frame under a horizontal bridge.
    Thor Svaboe, Robb Report, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • More research is needed to determine the exact amount of glutamine in pork.
    Lindsey DeSoto, Health, 15 July 2025
  • The exact revenue baseline won’t be known until Maryland files its FY25 financials with the NCAA early next year.
    Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 15 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Plane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plane. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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