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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

2 of 2

adverb

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an easy task
a simple task
an effortless task
a trivial task
easy reading
simple reading
quick reading
light reading
effortless reading
basic reading
an easy installation
a simple installation
an uncomplicated installation
an effortless installation
a foolproof installation
a quick installation

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
Conch Tour Train: The Conch Tour Train, which started in 1958, is an easy way to see the major sights in Key West and learn the island’s history. Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 May 2025 This no-fuss funny money makes the card’s annual fee easier to stomach. Chris Dong, Saveur, 8 May 2025
Adverb
But tonight’s crossing would at least start out easy. Silvana Paternostro Nathalia Angarita, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025 His fiercest opponent refused to go down easy, sending he and the golf world on an epic, unprecedented rollercoaster ride. Justin Ray, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for easy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for easy
Adjective
  • Murder victim's family has been 'counting down the minutes' until South Carolina execution Texas pastor with simple dream killed in his own church.
    James Powel, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • Even something as simple as hanging your own art on the walls or sharing a project online will work.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • What's more, the researchers found that the mice on the WD plan were also more susceptible to Salmonella infections.
    Michael Franco May 11, New Atlas, 11 May 2025
  • This depends on the material, but faux leather is usually less susceptible to damage from steam.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • The buttery-soft jeans are my most comfortable denim, and finding a reliable white pair in the past has often been a struggle.
    Ali Faccenda, People.com, 11 May 2025
  • There’s a lot of writers who aren’t comfortable with that kind of rearranging.
    Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2025
Adjective
  • Some risk factors for babies include sleeping on their side or stomach, sharing a bed with a parent or caregiver, using soft bedding or bumper pads and sleeping on an incline.
    Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • Their romance proceeds in soft focus with a soundtrack of accelerated heartbeats and musical interludes, as well as pretty camera shots of raindrops flashing in the sun.
    Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
Adverb
  • Clean-up crews have been spraying the airborne oil with water to push it back to the surface to more easily collect it, and prevent the oil from drifting further away from the spill site.
    Dan Ruetenik, CBS News, 2 May 2025
  • Widespread pasteurization made the beverage more easily transportable and far safer to drink.
    HubSpot, HubSpot, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • Twain’s final decades were his Job years, the opposite of quiet and smooth and lovely.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 9 May 2025
  • Photos taken during the health department’s inspection showed bookshelves with cracked and peeling paint sitting close to the ground, but the wood is now sanded smooth and painted over.
    Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • They’re constructed with the brand’s Luxe Foam footbed, which provides ample cushioning that molds to the shape of your foot for a snug, contoured fit.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 8 May 2025
  • Just note that, as a 100% polyester suit meant for training, this style is designed to fit snug (and doesn’t have a ton of stretch).
    Alexis Berger, SELF, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • Prince Harry was once a central figure in the royal family — and someone who often connected with the public through his military service and charitable work.
    Erin Hill, People.com, 2 May 2025
  • The greatest benefit to this program is that individuals can access charitable funding for their project without committing to the time consuming and expensive process of creating and running a 501(c)(3) organization themselves.
    Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 1 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Easy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/easy. Accessed 14 May. 2025.

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