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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
The ability to make fake nude images from a simple photo threatens anyone with an online presence.
—
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
One of the book’s most striking images is also the simplest.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
In 2019, Kristen Stewart appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in a simple yet spooky costume.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
There’s a simple reason for the family’s longevity.
—Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for simple
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
One of the book’s most striking images is also the simplest.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
In 2019, Kristen Stewart appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in a simple yet spooky costume.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
There’s a simple reason for the family’s longevity.
—Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for simple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for simple
Adjective
-
Excluding plain water, there’s no other drink that enjoys such a breadth of uses.—
Kate Bernot,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
29 Oct. 2025
-
The couple appeared to be wearing matching plain white t-shirts.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Yet even these entities will adapt, either by exploiting visa loopholes, relying more heavily on student-to-H-1B conversions, or shifting toward the L-1 visa category, which remains unaffected by the new fee.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Lawmakers also expressed concerns that the federal government might not backfill dollars if the state steps into the void to ensure SNAP benefits remain unaffected during the shutdown.—
Nushrat Rahman,
Freep.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Add a blazer, cardigan, or trench on top—this piece is pure versatility with a side of glam.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Oct. 2025
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Companies can also come under attack for pure political gain, as seen in then Republican candidate Ron DeSantis’s confrontation with Disney over LGBTQ rights.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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That being said, some travel essentials stay packed and ready—the gear, gadgets, and go-tos that make every trip that much easier.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Oct. 2025
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With Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy back, things have gotten a lot easier for Kelce.—
Mark Kern,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But anyone imagining that this problem will be resolved by taking games beyond international borders is extremely naive.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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In contrast, the late-’90s and early-2000s pop culture era—glittery, naive, and commercially loud—feels like an antidote to endless doom-scrolling.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In fact, the term itself was an epithet throughout the founding era, a way to describe ignorant and easily deceived popular majorities, perpetually vulnerable to demagogues.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
-
International students are close to entirely ignorant of Canadian history and politics.—
Dónal Gill,
The Dial,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
And that’s a stupid, dumb, mindless question.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
25 Oct. 2025
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On TikTok, as The Washington Post has reported, some creators are making $5,000 a month using AI tools to write scripts and animate extremely dumb viral videos where old men talk about soiling themselves.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Markle’s commitment to bare feet comes with bigger health benefits.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
25 Oct. 2025
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Walls on the first floor of the Capitol are bare as portraits of Tennessee governors usually displayed outside the Governor’s Office and Old Supreme Court Chambers have been taken down to prevent them from being damaged.—
Vivian Jones,
Nashville Tennessean,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Simple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/simple. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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