1
as in plain
free from all additions or embellishment
a simple design, and one that never goes out of fashion
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unaffected
free from any intent to deceive or impress others
growing up in simple innocence
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3
as in pure
having no exceptions or restrictions
that's the simple truth
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4
as in easy
involving minimal difficulty or effort
I got all of the answers right because it was such a simple test
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5
as in naive
lacking in worldly wisdom or informed judgment
developers mistakenly thought that the local residents were simple people who would sell their land for practically nothing
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6
as in ignorant
lacking in education or the knowledge gained from books
the fact that he didn't go to college doesn't mean he's simple
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7
as in dumb
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of simple
These ranged from complex organic molecules like methanol and ethanol to simple molecules like silicon monoxide.
—
Robert Lea, Space.com, 25 Feb. 2026
In fact, in a career racking up one of the most impressive big wall resumes in climbing, Sasha has developed a remarkably simple recipe for success.
—Outside Online, 25 Feb. 2026
Others have added a citrus glaze to the cake to add another dimension to the simple dessert.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2026
Layering Lends Personality Classic staples—a soft leather jacket, bright button-up, crisp denim, and navy crewneck— come together to make a simple yet dimensional look in shades of blue and brown.
—Christina Holevas, Vogue, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for simple
Robert Lea, Space.com, 25 Feb. 2026
In fact, in a career racking up one of the most impressive big wall resumes in climbing, Sasha has developed a remarkably simple recipe for success.
—Outside Online, 25 Feb. 2026
Others have added a citrus glaze to the cake to add another dimension to the simple dessert.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2026
Layering Lends Personality Classic staples—a soft leather jacket, bright button-up, crisp denim, and navy crewneck— come together to make a simple yet dimensional look in shades of blue and brown.
—Christina Holevas, Vogue, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for simple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for simple
Adjective
-
The chairs were plain and cane-bottomed.—
Josh Ireland,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Opponents of Village Farms worry about building so many homes on a flood plain, especially one so close to an unlined landfill that could be leaking toxic chemicals.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The school was unaffected by the fire but placed on secure status as a precautionary measure during the emergency response, according to officials.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Security experts and locals state that tourist areas like Cancun, over 1,000 miles away, remain largely unaffected and calm.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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And the Cubists picked up on that in the twentieth century and abstracted from his landscapes, making pure Cubist constructions in which the optical space on the canvas—very similar to Cezanne’s—was composed of little abstract blocks.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Feb. 2026
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The show traces the evolution of Armani Privé since its Paris debut in 2005, highlighting pure lines, precious fabrics and jewel-like embroidery.—
PhotoVogue,
Vogue,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
While the era of easy, equity-like returns is fading as the asset class matures and competition intensifies, private credit’s growth phase is not over just yet, said PitchBook analyst Kyle Walters.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2026
-
But executing its strategy won’t be easy.—
Xiaoying You,
semafor.com,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Set a century before the events of Game of Thrones and 72 years after House of the Dragon, A Knight of Seven Kingdom follows two unlikely heroes wandering Westeros … a young, naïve but courageous knight, Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey), and his diminutive squire, Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell).—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
26 Feb. 2026
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That naïve version of myself has since retired.—
Iman Balagam,
Vogue,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Kudos to former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama for showing class and not responding to this insecure, ignorant symbol of racist hatred.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Walz said children fear aggressive agents; critics called the comparison ignorant and offensive.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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He was accused of being racist and of calling black people dumb.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
1 Mar. 2026
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Arte Moreno has said and done a lot of dumb things in his 23 years as owner of the Angels, but last week’s pronouncement that Angel fans don’t care about winning was downright senseless.—
Bill Madden,
New York Daily News,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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They are sometimes fully clothed, sometimes less so—bare-breasted and bare-bottomed, coquettishly posed, festooned with kitschy props—unabashedly immodest in every sense of the word.—
Bryan Barcena,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The shelves are bare, and the pennies are being pinched.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Simple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/simple. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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