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as in diagrams
something that visually explains or decorates a text
the book's color plate illustrates the internal organs of the human body
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of plates
The laws requiring prompt payment were implemented years ago because some drivers with foreign plates were failing to pay their fines, officials said.
—
Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2026
In lieu of keyboards clicking, the sounds of chattering and forks scraping plates fill the space.
—Kansas City Star, 4 May 2026
Instead of primarily offering meat plates, Wood’s Chapel will now offer its proteins in sandwich and taco form.
—Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 2 May 2026
That’s when tectonic plates first pushed them out of the sea, but the shaping of the pillars via coastal erosion only occurred over the last few thousand years.
—ArsTechnica, 2 May 2026
Shareable plates accompany spirit-forward libations such as The Grand Bucharest, a mix of Jack Daniel’s rye whiskey, Aperol, grapefruit, blueberries, and rosemary.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 May 2026
In my world, the dirty plates should be cleared, but the actual washing of the dishes waits until everyone is finished.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
As Earth’s tectonic plates shifted, huge volumes of volcanic gas and carbon dioxide transformed the atmosphere, sucking oxygen out of the oceans and devastating shallow-water environments.
—Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 1 May 2026
Another key element is the streamlining of shoes, defined through a battle of shoe companies who use carbon-fiber plates and other materials as part of an effort to make shoes lighter and springier.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2026
In lieu of keyboards clicking, the sounds of chattering and forks scraping plates fill the space.
—Kansas City Star, 4 May 2026
Instead of primarily offering meat plates, Wood’s Chapel will now offer its proteins in sandwich and taco form.
—Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 2 May 2026
That’s when tectonic plates first pushed them out of the sea, but the shaping of the pillars via coastal erosion only occurred over the last few thousand years.
—ArsTechnica, 2 May 2026
Shareable plates accompany spirit-forward libations such as The Grand Bucharest, a mix of Jack Daniel’s rye whiskey, Aperol, grapefruit, blueberries, and rosemary.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 May 2026
In my world, the dirty plates should be cleared, but the actual washing of the dishes waits until everyone is finished.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
As Earth’s tectonic plates shifted, huge volumes of volcanic gas and carbon dioxide transformed the atmosphere, sucking oxygen out of the oceans and devastating shallow-water environments.
—Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 1 May 2026
Another key element is the streamlining of shoes, defined through a battle of shoe companies who use carbon-fiber plates and other materials as part of an effort to make shoes lighter and springier.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plates
Noun
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Now Assist gross margins remain above 80% as AI scales, the company said.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
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Scientists hope the velella can help oceanographers improve their understanding of spatial scales, from satellite images with the resolution of a football field, to aerial drone photos and microscopic images measured in millimeters, Haddock said.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Noun
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Since the chatbot can also generate diagrams and other visual data, the new update should be a boon for students.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
30 Apr. 2026
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While reading Toward an Architecture, the 1923 manifesto of Swiss-French architect and theorist Charles-Édouard Jeanneret, better known as Le Corbusier, Fuller encountered a table of wind resistance diagrams.—
Bill Gourgey,
Popular Science,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Wait, are those sheets on sale?—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
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Specifically, quick-dry sheets.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The finish, as well as the green, white, and red accents on the hood, side-view mirrors, and rear wing end caps, are all inspired by the look of the one-of-three Zonda Tricolore, but a gold graphics and wheels help distinguish the Zonda Unica.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
8 May 2026
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Also, while thetwo restaurants on this list share the same name, the graphics on their doors and exterior signs don’t resemble each other.—
David J. Neal
May 8,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2026
Noun
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The meeting between the two dignitaries will won’t include a livestreamed news conference like those the president has hosted with other international figures.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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The large monetary figures Ingoglia unveiled during each news conference came from analyses conducted by the state’s Department of Governmental Efficiency team, or DOGE, which had requested budget information from and visited many municipalities across the state.—
Abigail Hasebroock,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Winslow Homer, a decade younger than Church, started his career by making illustrations for Harper’s Weekly during the Civil War.—
Sebastian Smee,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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The president has taken to frequently posting fake illustrations of himself, including one of him being embraced by Jesus.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plates. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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