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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

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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
Both filters last 18 months, so the higher replacement costs are a little easier to swallow. Cheryl Fenton, Parents, 19 July 2025 Designing two spaces to enjoy for years would have been much easier if the Ezra collection had existed from the Better Homes & Gardens line at Walmart. Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 July 2025
Adverb
Why should they be expected to leave easy 340B money on the table? Ge Bai, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025 The Clifton 10 is still a Hoka with its fat midsole, but that performance feature is becoming stylistically mainstream, and all that cushioning makes day-long walking easy. Lisa Jhung, Outside Online, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for easy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for easy
Adjective
  • As a flavorless mixer, vodka filled a gap in the American spirits market, providing bartenders and home drinkers alike with an unchallenging tipple to mix with anything on hand.
    Time, Time, 4 June 2025
  • In the face of the flagrant human rights abuses, however, Tagle responded with statements Duterte’s opponents criticized as vague and unchallenging.
    Camille Elemia, NBC news, 4 May 2025
Adjective
  • This results in long, deep wounds in the surrounding flesh that are also susceptible to secondary bacterial infections, causing severe pain, and potentially death if left untreated.
    Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 10 July 2025
  • Being able to track this is super helpful because male cats are more susceptible to UTIs, which can be potentially life-threatening.
    Molly Higgins, Wired News, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • Dress comfortably: Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing to stay comfortable.
    Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 11 July 2025
  • Martha Stewart Bedford Wicker Chaise Lounge Chair Lounging poolside is even sweeter when your pool lounger is actually comfortable.
    Maggie Horton, People.com, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • The finish is sleek with a soft sheen, and a subtle silver mountain logo sits just below the stainless steel rim.
    Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 July 2025
  • These attempts to reshape the narrative around China’s actions go way beyond cultural soft power.
    Isabelle Mayault, The Dial, 8 July 2025
Adverb
  • The Cubs acquired Tucker in a trade for at least one season from the Houston Astros on Dec. 13 and four days later the Yankees easily acquired Bellinger and got Chicago to pay five million of his remaining $52.5 million.
    Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
  • Because of their small size, adult fruit flies can easily get in through cracks and tears in bug screens.
    Emma Ashe, Southern Living, 13 July 2025
Adjective
  • Chris wore a simple navy blue polo shirt and khaki shorts combo, while Alexa showed off her growing bump in a white and blue floral dress — along with an Olympic logo necklace to complete her maternity style.
    Kayla Grant, People.com, 11 July 2025
  • Nearby is the kitchen, which is compact and simple as standard.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • Adjustable straps create a snug fit, while EVA outsoles offer essential traction on a wide array of terrain.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025
  • These best-selling jeans from Gloria Vanderbilt are a customer favorite and feature a comfy blend of cotton, polyester, and spandex for a snug and slightly stretchy fit.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • There are a number of prominent changes to charitable tax deduction rules, but the bigger story is how OBBBA overall will change charitable planning for some taxpayers.
    Martin Shenkman, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio.
    Jim Cramer, CNBC, 13 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Easy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/easy. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.

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