PLAINLY Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

plainly

adverb

Definition of plainly

as in openly

in an honest and direct manner you'll have to tell your relatives very plainly that you don't like perfume, or they'll keep giving it to you

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in certainly

without any question your wife is plainly upset that you didn't invite her to the game with us

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 plainly The Cost Of Overthinking The answers models generate are plainly visible to all. — Don Schuerman, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Specifically, the meeting minutes reveal that when asked to assess the appropriate interest rate level by the end of this year, Fed officials were plainly split into two camps. — CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026 And that brings me to an issue that deserves to be said plainly. — Jennifer Bruzan Taylor, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 At issue are a raft of local and state laws that, in one side’s reading, plainly state that the city allows a maximum of three terms, which bars Altamirano from serving on the council again. — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Set the agenda, define who owns what, and say the main point plainly. — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Aug. 2026 This year’s ‘The Future Of… Creativity’ brings together people who have given their lives to storytelling, to talk plainly about what this moment means for the craft and for the people who love it. — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026 Pisces February 19 – March 20 A close relationship gets easier when the next step is named plainly. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026 State your aim plainly, then pick the next step that shows integrity and keeps momentum steady without overpromising. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for plainly

Adverb

The Tate brothers, who openly describe themselves as misogynists, built a global following by promoting a lavish, hypermasculine lifestyle through their social media empire.

— Jonny Hallam, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
The Combating Terrorism Center at West Point reports that veteran foreign jihadists now openly call al-Sharaa a sellout.

— Jason M. Blazakis, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of openly

Adverb

Five to six years ago, certainly, people were not thinking about agentic AI systems that can plan and complete multi-step tasks with little to no human intervention.

— Zev Fima, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
Olsen certainly hurt those around him, too, growing up, especially as his addiction spiraled and his platonic, romantic and familial relationships fell apart.

— David Oliver, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of certainly

Adverb

Most of these programs are offered through wholesale channels rather than the retail bank on the corner, which is why the loan officer at a national depository may sincerely believe no such option exists.

— Karen Koehler, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
It’s routinely thrown around online, both sincerely and in jest, to describe anything that feels inauthentic.

— Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of sincerely

Adverb

Where once there were just plain old cherry or grape tomatoes, now there are Sugar Bombs, and Flavor Bombs, and Lolli Bombs and Sprinkles.

— Kenny Malone, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026
At Target, The Washington Post reported during the 2026 season that a plain clear plastic pencil case ran $4.

— Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of plain

Adverb

Issa doesn’t really want to sleep with Anton, and Anton definitely doesn’t want to sleep with Issa, but both of them do want to sleep with Paul Baker.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
The video was definitely a hit, but for a parent, that much attention can bring mixed emotions, especially when some of the reactions include praise but others are not so kind.

— Owen Carry, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of definitely

Adverb

For years, the SEC and CFTC had not settled that question clearly enough for the market to move with confidence, creating friction when there was none to begin with.

— Manny Khan, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Insofar as these drawings depart from previous works, they were clearly made for a new reason.

— Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of clearly

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plain Janes

plainly

plainness

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“Plainly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plainly. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of plainly

adverb

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