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Definition of easynext
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as in soft
tolerant and kind in the judgment of and expectations for others despite her easy approach to discipline, she had a remarkably well-behaved class

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

easy

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adverb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective easy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of easy are effortless, facile, light, simple, and smooth. While all these words mean "not demanding effort or involving difficulty," easy is applicable either to persons or things imposing tasks or to activity required by such tasks.

an easy college course

When is effortless a more appropriate choice than easy?

Although the words effortless and easy have much in common, effortless stresses the appearance of ease and usually implies the prior attainment of artistry or expertness.

moving with effortless grace

How do facile and easy relate to one another?

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

facile answers to complex questions

In what contexts can light take the place of easy?

The meanings of light and easy largely overlap; however, light stresses freedom from what is burdensome.

a light teaching load

When might simple be a better fit than easy?

The synonyms simple and easy are sometimes interchangeable, but simple stresses ease in understanding or dealing with because complication is absent.

a simple problem in arithmetic

When is it sensible to use smooth instead of easy?

In some situations, the words smooth and easy are roughly equivalent. However, 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 easy
Adjective
The easiest way to cut into a pomegranate is to cut off the peel near the blossom end. Mary Ann Esposito, Boston Herald, 7 Jan. 2026 Losing Harbaugh and landing on Stefanski or McCarthy, by comparison, might be an easier sell. Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
Adverb
This set is dishwasher safe, making cleanup easy. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025 This measuring cup with a bright red handle is crafted with an easy-pour angled spout and a multitude of markings for cups, ounces, and milliliters. Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for easy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for easy
Adjective
  • The National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented (NRCGT) states family stress, low expectations, and social pressure can suppress motivation, while unchallenging schoolwork often leaves gifted learners bored and discouraged.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2025
  • And then the arresting sight of a pumpkin patch, apocalyptic spheres of swamp-green or orangeade, only good for cattle fodder, too unchallenging to grow, so not as interesting to cook with.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The human brain is highly susceptible to often unproductive mind-wandering, and modern technology has only made the problem worse.
    Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business Review, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Common Pests and Diseases Like all plants, hoyas can be susceptible to pests and diseases.
    SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The comfortable four-way stretch fabric makes these feel like your favorite pair of yoga pants, while looking elegant and dressed to the nines.
    Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Baggy Jean Looking for jeans that feel comfortable and look put-together?
    Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The hardware is built for intimacy, pairing a soft exterior with full-body sensors that react to a user’s touch on its head or neck.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 Jan. 2026
  • So uncompromising as to turn hard heads into soft behinds.
    Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Adverb
  • Polka dots bring visual interest without overwhelming a look, pairing easily with solid staples.
    Gabrielle Porcaro, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
  • If the dollar bill pulls out easily, the gasket needs to be replaced.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • According to Bruce Blair, a former Air Force launch officer and nuclear policy expert, between 1962 and the mid-1970s the most powerful digits on the globe were simple – eight zeros.
    Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
  • That something as simple as a COVID vaccine might improve survival in cancer patients receiving standard immunotherapy has taken oncologists by surprise — in a good way.
    Lisa Jarvis, Twin Cities, 8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Ma’s description of enormous, glistening grocery stores could be explained as the musings of a person who longs for stability and plentitude, or of a naive character who thinks of America as a land of boundless riches.
    Tope Folarin, The Atlantic, 8 Nov. 2025
  • But these juvenile white sharks may be naive to orcas.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio.
    Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
  • The donation, considered one of the largest charitable contributions ever made public, was made to Pivotal Philanthropies Foundation, which was started by Melinda in 2022.
    Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Easy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/easy. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

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