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
Gusts on Wednesday could be between 40-50 miles per hour in western portions of Washington, Oregon, and California down to the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as over higher terrain inland, according to Zehr.
—
Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Deep in Tocantins, a remote state in north-central Brazil, the park’s rugged terrain keeps visitor numbers low.
—Aaron Randolph, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
The 3-foot-wide (1 meter) descent probe will fall to the surface of Venus and catalog its punishingly thick atmosphere and sulfuric acid-laden clouds along the way, as well as take some images of Venus' surface terrain.
—Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Maltais translated the resort’s steepest terrain into speed for snowboard-cross competitions—winning a bronze medal at the 2006 Turin Olympics and a silver medal at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
—Outside, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrain
Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Deep in Tocantins, a remote state in north-central Brazil, the park’s rugged terrain keeps visitor numbers low.
—Aaron Randolph, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
The 3-foot-wide (1 meter) descent probe will fall to the surface of Venus and catalog its punishingly thick atmosphere and sulfuric acid-laden clouds along the way, as well as take some images of Venus' surface terrain.
—Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Maltais translated the resort’s steepest terrain into speed for snowboard-cross competitions—winning a bronze medal at the 2006 Turin Olympics and a silver medal at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
—Outside, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for terrain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrain
Noun
-
Avoid puddles - Driving into puddles or low rainwater areas can lead to vehicles hydroplaning or losing control.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Teams that may have some postseason games to play are certainly showing themselves as playoff scenarios take shape in KC-area and regional college football.—
The Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Beat the winter traffic—or ski-in without the crowds Some of Tahoe’s winter woes are caused by the region’s natural geography.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The country’s geography squeezes a wild variety into a tight map.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Across Brazil, nearly three-quarters of citizens believe city climate initiatives are improving both the environment and their daily quality of life.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
One key component producer is Hesai Technology, the world’s leading producer of automotive lidar sensors, which are used by robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles to recognize their environment and avoid obstacles.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
At Sportico’s Invest in Sports conference, industry leaders discussed how their businesses have entered new territories, built new lines of business, embraced fresh investment strategies and even considered entering into the realm of the absurd.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
4 Nov. 2025
-
This quiz will test your knowledge of the strange, shadowy realm of dark matter.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Nevis Excellent year-round diving awaits on Nevis with its crystal-clear waters, rich marine biodiversity and inactive volcanoes that helped shape the underwater topography.—
Adrienne Jordan,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Designed by Schmidt Design Group, the design embraces the site’s natural topography, with a scenic overlook to the canyon at its highest point and a playground that takes advantage of a natural slope with climbing loops, rocks and a slide.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The neutral tones and organic elements of the hotel’s 349 rooms and suites soothe the spirit and mirror the otherworldly atmosphere of the Riviera Maya.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Depending on which elements are involved, airglow can appear in subtle shades of green, red or orange.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
For Gay, the political landscape at home has elicited some spontaneous reactions from strangers abroad.—
Terry Ward,
CNN Money,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Three employees of a landscape supply business in Texas were fatally shot Saturday morning, authorities said.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Blue Origin also launches New Shepard from Texas The New Glenn spacecraft is not to be confused with Blue Origin's much smaller New Shepard rocket that the company launches from West Texas on brief trips taking paying passengers high above Earth's atmosphere.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
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Neutral conditions mean the Pacific isn’t giving the atmosphere a strong push one way or the other, so seasonal weather patterns are more likely to be shaped by other factors, like the Arctic or Atlantic oceans.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Freep.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Terrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrain. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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