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 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 Coppola’s emphasis on white protagonist Cesar is, in Hollywood liberal terms, facile and archaic. Armond White, National Review, 4 Oct. 2024 The benefit of all of this, of course, is a shift toward recognizing, at least in the zeitgeist, the seemingly facile truth: that moms have identities and desires beyond being moms. Cady Lang, TIME, 24 May 2024 The commentary on social media is mostly facile, although a humiliating trick played on Nikki is devilishly funny and some of the flashback-recap sequences make zippy use of online video. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Jan. 2024 See All Example Sentences for facile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for facile
Adjective
  • By proactively identifying and mitigating potential data pitfalls and by diligently implementing these four key strategies, product strategy teams can transition from having a superficial reliance on data to a deep and comprehensive mastery of it.
    Ramalakshmi Murugan, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • Yet the superficial script lets the actors and crew members down.
    Stephen Farber, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2025
Adjective
  • One way to make cooking for others easier is to have go-to dishes — or entire menus.
    The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025
  • Completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869 made immigration into California and shipping produce out of the state much easier.
    Dan Walters, Mercury News, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • The viral clip, which has garnered over 188,000 views since it was posted on June 23, shows the whales moving helplessly in shallow waters.
    Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
  • The species typically lives in shallow freshwater ecosystems with muddy or silty floors.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • The simplest ideas in mathematics can also be the most perplexing.
    Leila Sloman, Wired News, 29 June 2025
  • Start your day like a pro with simple morning cleaning habits that keep your home feeling fresh, organized, and under control.
    Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • The two sections of the building are constructed of a spruce framework clad in smooth oak panels, while the central gate is made from traditional 6-inch pine logs.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 June 2025
  • Ultimately, the app's cross-platform availability, nifty AI tools, and smooth sharing features earn it our Editors' Choice award for photo editing.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • Bellini noted that hacking operations are much cheaper than bullets, planes or nuclear arms -- what defense analysts call kinetic warfare.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 June 2025
  • Introductory pricing: Spectrum’s most affordable plan is much cheaper than AT&T's, at$30 a month compared to AT&T’s $55 a month for 100 and 300 Mbps download speeds,respectively.
    Kara McGinley, USA Today, 26 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Facile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/facile. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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