plainspoken

adjective

ˈplān-ˈspō-kən How to pronounce plainspoken (audio)
Definition of plainspokennext
as in outspoken
free in expressing one's true feelings and opinions a plainspoken woman who never hesitated to speak the unvarnished truth

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 plainspoken As Walmart hurtles into the AI age and rebrands itself as a tech company, the legacy of the chain’s plainspoken founder is lore in this city surrounded by cattle farms and poultry houses. — Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026 Amid the early-spring lightness of the filmmaking, Fukada values softly plainspoken earnestness of emotion, as his repressed, recessive characters learn to listen to their own impulses in the general stillness that surrounds them. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 May 2026 Finally, a full 38 years after their last onscreen romance, the old friends re-teamed for Our Souls at Night (2017), a low-key and plainspoken story of late-in-life friendship turning to something more. — Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 1 June 2026 Oklahoma voters rejected raising hourly wage to $15 The ballot in Oklahoma had plenty of statewide races, but voters were plainspoken that raising wages for the poorest workers is what drove them to the polls on June 16. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for plainspoken
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plainspoken
  1. outspoken
  2. honest
  3. candid
  4. frank
Adjective
  • The experience of Jack Ma illustrates the limits imposed on entrepreneurs who become too powerful or politically outspoken.
    — Rainer Zitelmann, Fortune, 2 July 2026
  • The fact his reputation around the league points to him being outspoken cooled his value.
    — Tony Jones, New York Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of outspoken
Adjective
  • Refine a portfolio piece, build a small prototype, or share a draft with someone who gives honest notes.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026
  • County officials have repeatedly warned that fraudulent claims take money away from public services and shift the tax burden to honest taxpayers.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026
Definition of honest
Adjective
  • Readiness is an ongoing practice, not a declaration, determined by daily interactions and the safety to be candid.
    — Tracy Lawrence, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • In April 2020, the pop superstar shared a candid photo of herself and Austin to her social media in honor of National Siblings Day.
    — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 2 July 2026
Definition of candid
Adjective
  • Davis was frank with the roughly 20 people in attendance, saying the November election will not be an easy victory.
    — Rachel Royster July 2, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2026
  • There’s a frank sadness to nearly every scene, but also a tenderness and warmth between these two unlikely friends.
    — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026
Definition of frank

Browse Nearby Words

plains
plainspoken
plainspokenness
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Cite this Entry

“Plainspoken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plainspoken. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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