How to Use plainspoken in a Sentence

plainspoken

adjective
  • Joe Manchin is as plainspoken as the day is long.
    — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2025
  • The lyrics here and in other songs are plainspoken.
    — Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2025
  • Accept that the month will be cold and plainspoken.
    — Rafaela Jinich, The Atlantic, 1 Jan. 2026
  • Smith knows how to tease the glory out of the most plainspoken English.
    — Laura Miller, Slate Magazine, 20 Feb. 2017
  • Like his wife, Imler is plainspoken and believes in cutting to the chase.
    — Melanie Thernstrom, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
  • Shot without flourishes, the movie has a plainspoken visual flow to it.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 4 Sep. 2022
  • Be plainspoken, not lofty or academic.
    — Meg Kinnard, Fortune, 3 Mar. 2026
  • Laboe, a plainspoken man with sharp business instincts, dove in and promoted the music.
    — Esmeralda Bermudezstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2022
  • It was parked on a lot owned by Ted Moser, a plainspoken man who outfits vehicles for films and TV shows.
    — Daniel Miller, latimes.com, 9 July 2019
  • The plainspoken outsider backs a $25 minimum wage, calling it smart business to pay workers a living wage.
    — Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
  • All these decades later, Elder still thinks that what society needs more of than government is the plainspoken wisdom of his parents.
    — Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2021
  • As Dylan gains steam, though, his plainspoken descriptions of the books start to glow with an unexpected beauty and power.
    — Alexandra Schwartz, The New Yorker, 6 June 2017
  • Her vision for education was plainspoken.
    — Anna Alejo, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Bolsonaro’s plainspoken approach, coupled with an economic rebound, appears to be having some effect.
    — Fox News, 28 Oct. 2022
  • Those that stuck their nose in there got on the field; those that shied away from contact stood on the sideline with Long, the plainspoken former tight end from North Alabama.
    — Mike Berardino, Indianapolis Star, 12 Dec. 2019
  • These ads were informed but plainspoken, employing the simple logic of cause and effect, inputs and outputs, using words most people recognized.
    — Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
  • Many of Prine’s longtime fans would agree, pointing to his plainspoken style, keen eye for detail and knack for finding poetry in everyday experience.
    — Mary Colurso | [email protected], al, 8 Apr. 2020
  • Her plainspoken advice for anyone negotiating for better pay?
    — Emily Strohm, PEOPLE.com, 3 Nov. 2021
  • There will be a lot of plainspoken high-octane humble artistry at the service of songs and emotion during this installment of Nelson’s ever-evolving festival.
    — John Adamian, courant.com, 7 June 2019
  • These poems are plainspoken, emotionally direct, haunted by the past and the inexorability of time.
    — Vince Passaro, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
  • In a genre known for honest and plainspoken storytelling, the group’s members — with their varied talents, experiences and perspectives — work to take the music one step further.
    — Shannon Marie Tovey, AJC.com, 1 Jan. 2026
  • Queen Elizabeth is still more plainspoken in her contempt, after having initially granted Richard favor.
    — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 11 July 2022
  • In dozens of television appearances that range from late nights to weekends, Slavitt has used his plainspoken manner to make the case for the vaccine while arguing those with doubts need answers, not rebukes.
    — Jeremy Diamond, CNN, 29 Apr. 2021
  • Widely listened to for decades, his staying power comes from his plainspoken nature, genuineness and relatability as much as his determination and hard work.
    — Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
  • The plainspoken lyrics align with a broader embrace of sincerity, privileging emotional directness over irony.
    — Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 14 Apr. 2026
  • All that was left to do was promote it, in a way he hasn’t been asked to do in years, and to wait and see how millions of viewers react to a story dredged out of horror-story reimaginings into something aiming for plainspoken truth.
    — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Harry's House is also emotionally heavy at times, with Styles' understated delivery adding power to his plainspoken lyrics.
    — Maura Johnston, EW.com, 16 May 2022
  • Her onstage persona is reminiscent of a battering ram — plainspoken, combative, and staccato.
    — Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
  • In emotional, plainspoken lines, Bidart reflects on growing up gay in mid-twentieth-century America.
    — JSTOR Daily, 11 June 2026
  • Her relationship with Doo is at the heart of everything, and the plainspoken country star doesn’t hesitate to reveal the ups and downs, joys and frustrations, successes and failures.
    — Mary Colurso | [email protected], al, 14 Feb. 2021

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'plainspoken.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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