Synonyms of terrain

terrain

noun

tə-ˈrān 

1

as in area

a region of activity, knowledge, or influence

we're moving into unfamiliar terrain if we bring pre-Columbian art into our discussion

Synonyms & Similar Words

• area
• realm
• element
• field
• domain
• walk
• department
• sphere
• kingdom
• territory
• province
• specialty
• arena
• game
• circle
• front
• discipline
• precinct
• business
• subject
• bailiwick
• firmament
• demesne
• fief
• barony
• study
• frontier
• line
• fiefdom
• scope
• turf
• confine
• pursuit
• profession
• occupation
• width
• extent
• vocation
• amplitude
• breadth
• racket
• compass
• sweep
• ambit
• reach
• subfield
• subspecialty
• dimension(s)
• ken

2

as in geography

the physical features of a region as a whole

an analysis of the terrain revealed that an invasion force of paratroopers would have their work cut out for them

Synonyms & Similar Words

• geography
• topography
• landscape
• geomorphology
• scenery
• chorography
• land
• landform
• terrane
• ground
• terrene

3

as in environment

the circumstances, conditions, or objects by which one is surrounded

a new senator getting lost in the foggy terrain of double-dealing and deception

Synonyms & Similar Words

• environment
• surroundings
• atmosphere
• environs
• climate
• surround
• context
• setting
• space
• milieu
• ambient
• location
• clime
• medium
• situation
• contexture
• place
• backdrop
• mise-en-scène
• element
• background
• position
• geography
• habitat
• status
• microenvironment

Examples of terrain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

It’s surrounded by a canyon, a desert, and a volcano and the terrain does not encourage many creatures to travel far, so around half of the Nazca Ridge species simply don’t. —Ashley Balzer Vigil, Discover Magazine, 10 Sep. 2024

The feelings expressed may have been raw and unruly, but each deserved to be taken seriously as part of the political terrain. —Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2024

Impacts The incessant heat has knocked out power to thousands of Californians, fueled wildfires in rugged mountain terrain and forced school administrators to suspend classes or implement minimum days, releasing students earlier than usual, in the hottest parts of the region. —Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2024

The first third of the film is a slow burn where we’re meant to arrive and immerse ourselves in this pastoral terrain. —Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2024