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as in stupid
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily don't be so quick to characterize people who have trouble with computers as simple

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective simple contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of simple are easy, effortless, facile, light, and smooth. While all these words mean "not demanding effort or involving difficulty," simple stresses ease in understanding or dealing with because complication is absent.

a simple problem in arithmetic

When could easy be used to replace simple?

The meanings of easy and simple largely overlap; however, easy is applicable either to persons or things imposing tasks or to activity required by such tasks.

an easy college course

In what contexts can effortless take the place of simple?

While the synonyms effortless and simple are close in meaning, effortless stresses the appearance of ease and usually implies the prior attainment of artistry or expertness.

moving with effortless grace

How are the words facile and easy related as synonyms of simple?

Facile often adds to easy the connotation of undue haste or shallowness.

facile answers to complex questions

When is light a more appropriate choice than simple?

Although the words light and simple have much in common, light stresses freedom from what is burdensome.

a light teaching load

When is it sensible to use smooth instead of simple?

The synonyms smooth and simple are sometimes interchangeable, but smooth stresses the absence or removal of all difficulties, hardships, or obstacles.

a smooth ride

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 simple Mistyping social security numbers is one of the simplest, yet most significant mistakes people make on their returns, according to TurboTax CPA and tax expert Lisa Greene-Lewis. Rachel Barber, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2025 Kit kept things simple with a traditional dark blue suit, pairing the look with a white shirt and polkadot bowtie and his usual glasses. Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 6 Apr. 2025 Vincent Alban | Reuters President Donald Trump may hope his tariffs jump-start a renaissance in manufacturing in the United States, but the reality is not so simple, according to experts. Erin Doherty,annika Kim Constantino,yun Li, CNBC, 5 Apr. 2025 Martha Stewart and Mila Kunis carried ones that looked like this simple option. Clint Davis, People.com, 23 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for simple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for simple
Adjective
  • Without laws, humans are forced to decide for themselves what constitutes justice or just plain revenge.
    Alison Herman, Variety, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Other bland foods, such as clear broth, saltine crackers, and plain potatoes, may also be tolerable in small servings.1 Spices: Ginger, turmeric, cayenne, and cinnamon, which have some anti-inflammatory properties, can help reduce symptoms.
    Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • There's also the chance that costs rise for items unaffected by tariffs.
    Emily Peck, Axios, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Waiting and seeing Some businesses are still in wait-and-see mode, pushing ahead with hiring plans because many of their customers appear unaffected by the charges.
    Paul Davidson, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Far too many left to get it on three without pure luck.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • To suggest that the cartels might import coca leaves to extract cocaine makes about as much sense as suggesting that someone would import Dom Perignon to secure by chemical processing pure extracts of ethyl alcohol.
    Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Though the dropper is easy to use, the brand also sells a massaging applicator, which maximizes distribution and blood flow.
    Emily Orofino, Vogue, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The proliferation of issue-position groups is made easier by the ability to quickly find and connect with people who share your views via the internet and social media.
    Jen Cole Wright, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The credulous faith that these superpowers will voluntarily settle for some form of peaceful coexistence, if only they are sufficiently propitiated with concessions, is naive and dangerous.
    Michael Miklaucic, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Similarly naive are Trump’s and Biden’s attempts to regulate access to AI information — such as China’s AI restrictions.
    Lutz Finger, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • But Slingshot’s breach of contract suit alleges that Angel continually broke provisions of their agreement, and sometimes seemed entirely ignorant of them.
    Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Naturally, this poor woman is ignorant of her friend Susan’s role in her granddaughter’s disappearance.
    Chris Klimek, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Friendships built on insecurity, where men constantly have to prove their manhood, are a breeding ground for toxic attitudes and stupid decision-making.
    Terry Ward, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2025
  • That was the result of a stupid Obama-era rule that claimed a benefit to climate change (the biggest scam ever perpetrated on humanity) by restricting water flow through shower heads and faucets.
    Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The girl recalled an incident when one of Deutsch's family members held her down while Deutsch hit her on her bare bottom with a paddle, the probable cause document says.
    Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Given that Bednar would not be a rental, the Cubs would have to cough up more than just the bare minimum.
    David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Simple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/simple. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

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