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
Relevance
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
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of terrain
Winds gusting as high as 45 mph over high and exposed terrain.
—
Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Making a robot run is not a simple task and requires precise balance control, terrain handling (uneven surfaces), endurance, navigation, and anti-interference capabilities (noise, obstacles, etc).
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 19 Apr. 2026
According to the official website, the entry fee per person is around $50,000 and requires not only endurance but also constant adaptation, as athletes transition between climates, terrain and time zones with minimal recovery between each leg.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026
Challenge yourself with some of the extreme terrain -- like rock crawling -- and driving through places like Death Valley.
—Morgan Korn, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for terrain
Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Making a robot run is not a simple task and requires precise balance control, terrain handling (uneven surfaces), endurance, navigation, and anti-interference capabilities (noise, obstacles, etc).
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 19 Apr. 2026
According to the official website, the entry fee per person is around $50,000 and requires not only endurance but also constant adaptation, as athletes transition between climates, terrain and time zones with minimal recovery between each leg.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026
Challenge yourself with some of the extreme terrain -- like rock crawling -- and driving through places like Death Valley.
—Morgan Korn, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for terrain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrain
Noun
-
Standing at 6ft 4in (194cm), Muriqi is a terrifying presence in the penalty area.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
-
India wants to diversify its sourcing away from China in these sectors, Malik said, adding that shipbuilding and automotive steel are further areas of interest to India.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Legacy therapeutic approaches are sometimes complicated, costly, slow or restricted in geography.—
Lucy Jones
April 11,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
-
There was also the geography factor.—
Rachel King,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Although the pollution that inspired the Apollo era to rally for the environment is largely under control, decades of politicization have left humanity struggling to respond to the newer and more existential threat of climate change, Woodhouse says.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Navy dive medical technicians are trained in both advanced diving operations and emergency medicine, with expertise in handling patients in extreme environments.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The research would have to extend into the professional realm to deepen these burgeoning understandings of how the dark facets of ourselves operate, suggesting even the necessity of the shadow as that might be directing our career choices through the world.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The shift is moving medical debt collections into a less regulated realm.—
Noam N. Levey,
Hartford Courant,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As Wiseman was capturing cellphone footage of Earthset, his fellow crew members were also busy snapping photos and recording observations about the moon’s impact craters and rugged topography.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Pittsburgh's topography can add to the challenge for security teams as the three rivers and the highways intersect the draft footprint, along with having no real way to know how many fans will show up for the event.—
John Shumway,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
It’s broken up into elements water, fire, earth and void.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
One element certainly different is Hollywood itself.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But despite a few bright spots, the broader lab space landscape remains bleak.—
Noelle Harff,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Italian artisans were flown in to hand paint the fresco ceilings, often depicting Renaissance landscapes.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
During its high-stakes re-entry through Earth’s atmosphere, the Orion capsule faced extreme temperatures nearing 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Orion entered the atmosphere on a steeper trajectory, shortening the heat shield’s exposure time to extreme heating.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Terrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrain. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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