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
Examples 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 terrain
Explaining electoral college math feels easy peasy (thank you, genius New York Times graphics) compared to the treacherous emotional terrain many of us will cross this week.
—
Chloe Schama, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024
Areas of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, and the southern and western portions of Cuba, could see rainfall totals between 3 to 6 inches with isolated totals up to 10 inches in areas of higher terrain.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
And yes—while the Northeast peaks are massively different from those of the American West, there’s no discounting the state’s easy access to all kinds of ski terrain.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Nov. 2024
It is believed to be composed mostly of water ice mixed with rock, like most of Uranus' moons, and has a patchwork surface of different types of terrain, including huge canyons, ridges and cliff faces.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for terrain 
Chloe Schama, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024
Areas of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, and the southern and western portions of Cuba, could see rainfall totals between 3 to 6 inches with isolated totals up to 10 inches in areas of higher terrain.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
And yes—while the Northeast peaks are massively different from those of the American West, there’s no discounting the state’s easy access to all kinds of ski terrain.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Nov. 2024
It is believed to be composed mostly of water ice mixed with rock, like most of Uranus' moons, and has a patchwork surface of different types of terrain, including huge canyons, ridges and cliff faces.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for terrain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terrain
Noun
-
The handcuffed teenager was buckled into the front seat of Truong’s patrol vehicle because there was not a caged holding area for detainees in the back seat of that particular vehicle.Shelly Bradbury, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
-
Read Next: What Do Black Bears Eat? Black bears can quickly grow accustomed to a recurring food source in a particular area.Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
Today’s fight cannot be removed from that history and geography; gaining the upper hand in the current battle is not the same as winning the wider war.John Spencer, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2024
-
California’s current minimum wage is $16 an hour, though a complex set of exemptions based on the type of industry and geography already mean bigger paydays for many workers.Andre Mouchard, Orange County Register, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
The decline is attributed to the higher interest rate environment.Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
-
The certification process is aimed at compatibility with the business security environment, especially compatibility with access control solutions like Opswat’s own MetaAccess.PCMAG, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
Additional carrots for Ukraine are most likely to be found in the economic realm.Richard Haass, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2024
-
When conflicts exist outside the U.S. realm, money tends to flow to U.S. Treasurys as a safe-haven investment.Sanford Mann, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
These are the two largest American cities, antipodes in style and topography.Nicholas Dawidoff, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024
-
The radar will also study the ice’s structure and thickness, as well as the moon’s surface topography, composition, and roughness.Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 14 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
In the House, where all 435 seats are on the ballot, the election results will have a major impact on the incoming President’s ability to pass legislation and enact key elements of his or her agenda.Simmone Shah, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
-
There was also an element of escapism at the concert, which took place on the evening before Election Day.Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
The company acknowledges the risks associated with market adoption of lidar technology and the competitive landscape.Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
-
Drought has parched the Northeast U.S. for weeks, draining reservoirs, priming the landscape for damaging wildfires and pushing politicians to implement water-saving measures.Evan Bush, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
On May 18, 1980, the eruption of Mount St. Helens emitted 1.5 million metric tons of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere while its pyroclastic lava flow incinerated virtually everything within a 230-square-mile radius.Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024
-
Although drought is the most urgent threat, the Northeast is also broadly getting rainier as a result of climate change, because a warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture.Denise Chow, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near terrain
Cite this Entry
“Terrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terrain. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share