Definition of facilenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective facile contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of facile are easy, effortless, light, simple, and smooth. While all these words mean "not demanding effort or involving difficulty," facile often adds to easy the connotation of undue haste or shallowness.

facile answers to complex questions

When might easy be a better fit than facile?

The words easy and facile can be used in similar contexts, but easy is applicable either to persons or things imposing tasks or to activity required by such tasks.

an easy college course

When is it sensible to use effortless instead of facile?

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

moving with effortless grace

When is light a more appropriate choice than facile?

The synonyms light and facile are sometimes interchangeable, but light stresses freedom from what is burdensome.

a light teaching load

Where would simple be a reasonable alternative to facile?

The meanings of simple and facile largely overlap; however, simple stresses ease in understanding or dealing with because complication is absent.

a simple problem in arithmetic

When would smooth be a good substitute for facile?

In some situations, the words smooth and facile 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 facile The inability to perceive this limitation is amplified for LLMs as their facile use of human language suggests to humans that all other brain capabilities () exist in addition to the Communicating function, as this is the foundational cognitive basis set for all humans. Marcus Weldon, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025 In a sea of facile banalities, his lyrics take us back to the golden era of Spanish language singer/songwriters, but set to contemporary arrangements that place them squarely in 2025. Ingrid Fajardo, Billboard, 14 Feb. 2025 The pure simplicity of 2-D games like Tecmo Bowl, Pac-Man, and even the raging kitchen fires within The Sims, are relics of a more facile era in gaming. David John Chávez, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025 Demonizing the delta smelt was — and is — a way to make facile points to uninformed voters by suggesting that the interests of what appears to be an unimportant fish are somehow elevated above those of human residents. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for facile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for facile
Adjective
  • The same can be said of Schneeberger and Neibaur’s volume, a read that, like its subject, exhibits a breezy superficial charm before giving way to genuine depth and multiple rewards.
    Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 10 Feb. 2026
  • But Sonnet 130 may very well be the most popular for its testament to genuine love as opposed to superficial infatuation.
    David McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The new method basically deletes climate change from the whole equation, which makes El Niño easier to spot.
    Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Republicans are expected to have a much easier time retaining the Senate than the House, but a loss can’t be ruled out.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Amid the nods to social media and cancel culture and the shallow perils of modern celebrity, the image of Taylor-Joy’s disciplined group of insurgents, who speak in almost archaic, poetic dialogue, strikes a bracing contrast.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Vegetables with slow root development typically form deeper vertical roots rather than shallow horizontal roots.
    Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Feltner’s routine was pretty simple.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 12 Feb. 2026
  • Crime 101 takes the same view of quid pro quo as the most basic form of American commerce and makes simple but brutal points about value and self-worth, where your car, its year, make and model, matters more than your resumé.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • This recipe stars spaghetti and brings together four types of cheeses (including ricotta) for an extra hearty, creamy, and smooth supper.
    Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Activate your wristband for smooth entry and unlock extra safety features, such as adding an emergency contact.
    Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • These are cheap to produce and easy to swallow due to their smooth texture.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
  • With a distinctive look and a €38,290 ($45,425) passenger van base price (German market) that undercuts even the cheapest VW ID.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Facile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/facile. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.

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