1
as in plain
free from all additions or embellishment
a simple design, and one that never goes out of fashion
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2
as in unaffected
free from any intent to deceive or impress others
growing up in simple innocence
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3
as in pure
having no exceptions or restrictions
that's the simple truth
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4
as in easy
involving minimal difficulty or effort
I got all of the answers right because it was such a simple test
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5
as in naive
lacking in worldly wisdom or informed judgment
developers mistakenly thought that the local residents were simple people who would sell their land for practically nothing
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6
as in ignorant
lacking in education or the knowledge gained from books
the fact that he didn't go to college doesn't mean he's simple
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7
as in dumb
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily
don't be so quick to characterize people who have trouble with computers as simple
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of simple
Kids need to handle social conflicts, order their own food, and make simple decisions.
—
Janelle Jones, Parents, 28 Jan. 2026
Rooms are small—beds are more likely to be a simple double than the oversized ones many hotel brands indulge in—but space is well-used, with a large wardrobe, a desk for working, and a bathroom with a large shower and Le Labo toiletries.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026
Taking a brisk walk on the treadmill or outdoors is perhaps the simplest way to check zone 2 cardio off your list.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 28 Jan. 2026
The best Valentine’s weekend trips tend to be simple.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for simple
Janelle Jones, Parents, 28 Jan. 2026
Rooms are small—beds are more likely to be a simple double than the oversized ones many hotel brands indulge in—but space is well-used, with a large wardrobe, a desk for working, and a bathroom with a large shower and Le Labo toiletries.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026
Taking a brisk walk on the treadmill or outdoors is perhaps the simplest way to check zone 2 cardio off your list.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 28 Jan. 2026
The best Valentine’s weekend trips tend to be simple.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for simple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for simple
Adjective
-
Instead of sugary or diet beverages, use a squeeze of citrus or even a splash of juice to flavor plain sparkling water.—
Michael I Goran,
The Conversation,
3 Feb. 2026
-
In a plain convention center, the chaos moved along as if choreographed, a parade in which everyone marched.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
While payment systems appear unaffected, the exposure of personal data still creates long-term risks for millions of customers.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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In one case, for a client who needed to travel from Florida to Texas, Sentient worked with the operator and found an airport unaffected by the storm.—
Doug Gollan,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Adam Lambert Standing on the smaller, rotating stage in the middle of the room, Lambert showcased how even with his irrepressible flair, his pure voice is the star.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
31 Jan. 2026
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Cocktail making at White Bar is almost a choreographed dance and a simple orange daiquiri feels like drinking a glass of pure bright sunshine.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
After Iribarne’s free throw, Beckman couldn’t knock down a 3, and Aliso allowed an easy bucket with five seconds left, then didn’t worry about putting the ball in play again.—
Martin Henderson,
Oc Register,
27 Jan. 2026
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Cohen suggests incorporating accent pieces—pillows, objects, and art—done in more vibrant tones that are easy to edit or remove over time.—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The naive notion that America protects its own has remained largely intact, until the current administration declared that anyone who’s not with them is against them.—
Lorraine Ali,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
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So like Dorthy Gale, Gail is a naive young girl from Kansas.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
We’d be laughed at and called ignorant boors!—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
24 Jan. 2026
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Dunk isn’t ignorant of what doing the right thing could cost him.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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For the young generation of digital natives navigating AI anxiety around keeping up with peers using the technology and AI displacing them from jobs, the fear of the technology making people dumber is dominant.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
30 Jan. 2026
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This lens helps explain everything from investing mistakes and overspending to why some people quietly build wealth while others blow money in ways that, from the outside, look spectacularly dumb.—
Jasna Hodžić,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The light is red and the trees purple; the tarmac is warm beneath your bare feet.—
Molly Aitken,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Thursday at Granada coffee shop in Angelino Heights, on one of those 73-degree winter mornings in Los Angeles when the sky glows its sunniest cobalt-blue through bare branches.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Simple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/simple. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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