Synonyms of simpleminded

simpleminded

adjective

ˌsim-pəl-ˈmīn-dəd 

1

as in naive

lacking in worldly wisdom or informed judgment

a simpleminded view of a complex problem

Synonyms & Similar Words

• naive
• simple
• innocent
• inexperienced
• primitive
• immature
• unsophisticated
• ingenuous
• uncritical
• unsuspecting
• unsuspicious
• childish
• unworldly
• green
• naïf
• unwary
• unknowing
• dewy
• wide-eyed
• aw-shucks
• dewy-eyed
• idealistic
• believing
• trustful
• impractical
• callow
• trusting
• childlike
• careless
• gullible
• credulous
• unrealistic
• susceptible
• thoughtless
• heedless
• raw
• beguiled
• duped
• unguarded
• tricked
• gulled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sophisticated
• worldly
• experienced
• cynical
• knowing
• skeptical
• critical
• cosmopolitan
• unconvinced
• suspicious
• incredulous
• careful
• cautious
• wary
• worldly-wise
• pragmatic
• watchful
• realistic
• guarded
• leery
• doubting
• hardheaded
• sober
• down-to-earth
• suspecting
• streetwise
• street-smart

2

as in foolish

showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment

scornful of their simpleminded belief that their parents would always be there to take care of them

Synonyms & Similar Words

• foolish
• stupid
• silly
• absurd
• insane
• mad
• crazy
• idiotic
• dumb
• fool
• irrational
• simple
• lunatic
• fatuous
• ridiculous
• nonsensical
• harebrained
• loony
• unreasonable
• weak
• zany
• asinine
• weak-minded
• witless
• daft
• brainless
• senseless
• unwise
• preposterous
• dippy
• wacky
• daffy
• sappy
• wacko
• unreasoning
• inept
• out to lunch
• kooky
• nutty
• cuckoo
• crackbrained
• crackpot
• half-witted
• screwball
• slow
• jerky
• lunkheaded
• unreasoned
• moronic
• dotty
• half-baked
• cockeyed
• gaga
• feebleminded
• thoughtless
• bubbleheaded
• tomfool
• loony tunes
• thickheaded
• clueless
• batty
• doltish
• obtuse
• barmy
• dunderheaded
• featherheaded
• imbecile
• balmy
• fallacious
• empty-headed
• pinheaded
• unintelligent
• brain-dead
• dopey
• vacuous
• mindless
• dull
• oafish
• illogical
• softheaded
• lamebrain
• meshuga
• dim-witted
• dense
• laughable
• opaque
• ludicrous
• dim
• fruity
• chuckleheaded
• dorky
• airheaded
• invalid
• slow-witted
• knuckleheaded
• surd
• farcical
• gormless
• thick
• nonrational
• clownish
• soft
• unsound
• buffoonish
• unconsidered
• birdbrained
• ill-advised
• notional
• chowderheaded
• boobish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• wise
• sensible
• sound
• sane
• prudent
• clever
• intelligent
• reasonable
• smart
• judicious
• sagacious
• bright
• logical
• valid
• rational
• sage
• sapient
• brainy
• well-advised

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of simpleminded

Championship rings are not used as a measuring stick only by overcaffeinated fans and simpleminded columnists and talk-show hosts. — Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 30 July 2026

Tranquillity, often simple but rarely simpleminded, may be Ruscha’s essential quality as an artist. — Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 2 Oct. 2023

But in general election terms, impeachment is a boon for the Democrats, which is why McCarthy is desperately trying to slow-walk these simpleminded drives for vengeance. — Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 7 July 2023

American democracy, as in the Electoral College, accommodates considerations more complex than simpleminded majoritarianism. — George Will, chicagotribune.com, 3 May 2018

And with a smirking Clint Eastwood as the soldier, the story—which Cullinan told entirely from the points of view of the women—became a simpleminded demonstration of how devious women are. — Charles Taylor, Newsweek, 22 June 2017