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
And while the expansive views can be appreciated atop skis, of course, one of the best ways to experience the limitless terrain is simply to head out on a hike.
—
Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2026
Unlike city marathons filled with energetic spectators cheering runners on, Antarctica offered only silence and the constant battle to keep moving forward on unstable terrain.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
Theron, meanwhile, hurls herself into the sinewy action sequences that have increasingly been her home turf over the past two decades, flinging herself down hills and into rivers and navigating some precarious rock-climbing terrain.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026
The ability to combine wheeled efficiency with legged adaptability allows the system to handle varied terrains and motion demands more effectively than traditional designs, reports Pan Daily.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for terrain
Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2026
Unlike city marathons filled with energetic spectators cheering runners on, Antarctica offered only silence and the constant battle to keep moving forward on unstable terrain.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
Theron, meanwhile, hurls herself into the sinewy action sequences that have increasingly been her home turf over the past two decades, flinging herself down hills and into rivers and navigating some precarious rock-climbing terrain.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026
The ability to combine wheeled efficiency with legged adaptability allows the system to handle varied terrains and motion demands more effectively than traditional designs, reports Pan Daily.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for terrain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrain
Noun
-
On Saturday, Moscow pummeled the central city of Dnipro and other areas for more than twenty hours with barrages of missiles and drones, killing at least seven people.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
-
High school and local college results and highlights from the Southland, Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and Lake County coverage areas.—
Josh Krockey,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
No songwriter has piled as much geography into their catalog as Finn.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Instead, the ship’s youthful expedition team runs informational sessions about local wildlife and geography in the conference room or outside on the seventh floor’s deck.—
Karen Gardiner,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The rest of the episode is consumed with Carl’s soft opening for Soft Bar, the alcohol-free social environment that exists solely to spite Lindsay Hubbard.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The way coffee interacts with adenosine and cortisol is really complex, and can differ from person to person, depending on their biology, circumstances, and environment.—
Teresa Maalouf,
Verywell Health,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Space is the massive, ever-expanding realm beyond Earth’s atmosphere, spanning more than 93 billion light-years in the observable universe.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin got his feet wet in the NFL media realm and made a bold prediction about Aaron Rodgers' future in the league.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
27 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
-
Step-backs, deep 3s, power drives, trips to the line – every element of their games was on display, and every possession seemed to raise the stakes.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Each element contributes to an experience that extends beyond the immediate act of dining.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Still in her twenties, Morisot was a respected painter, best known for her landscapes, and had been tutored by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, the influential Barbizon school painter of fluttery fields and woodlands.—
Susan Tallman,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Now is an opportunity to assess the impact of new policies on the pace and tenor of change, influencing the future of the financial technology landscape.—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The atmosphere is one of discontent and distraction.—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
-
This outdoor venue, with a floor pit and seating for over 16,000 guests, offers an electric atmosphere.—
Annika Trost,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Terrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrain. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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