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as in stupid
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective simple contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of simple are easy, effortless, facile, light, and smooth. While all these words mean "not demanding effort or involving difficulty," simple stresses ease in understanding or dealing with because complication is absent.

a simple problem in arithmetic

When could easy be used to replace simple?

The meanings of easy and simple largely overlap; however, easy is applicable either to persons or things imposing tasks or to activity required by such tasks.

an easy college course

In what contexts can effortless take the place of simple?

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

moving with effortless grace

How are the words facile and easy related as synonyms of simple?

Facile often adds to easy the connotation of undue haste or shallowness.

facile answers to complex questions

When is light a more appropriate choice than simple?

Although the words light and simple have much in common, light stresses freedom from what is burdensome.

a light teaching load

When is it sensible to use smooth instead of simple?

The synonyms smooth and simple are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 simple Plus, the handle makes transporting scraps to your outdoor composter simple and clean. Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 17 Apr. 2025 With Floral Print $79 Coach Outlet If Mom loves to keep things simple, this medium-sized wallet is one of the best gifts for carrying just the essentials—just a few cards and cash—in the prettiest floral print. Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 17 Apr. 2025 The plot is complicated in that the characters make a habit of abrupt changes of heart and earnest speeches explaining said changes, but simple in that we’re never left in any doubt as to what’s eventually supposed to happen. Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2025 That simplicity feels so apt for this show, There's enough here: The production is simple and sweet, while Jonas and Warren exude a certain magnetism. Shania Russell, EW.com, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for simple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for simple
Adjective
  • Industry experts say some of the reasons are plain to see: Reports of detentions and deportations, including the weekslong lockup of European tourists, have sowed fears of bad experiences at the border.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Attorneys for immigrant rights groups and five pregnant mothers who sued to protect birthright citizenship said Trump's order violates the plain text of the Constitution, common law history, Supreme Court precedent and more than a century of consistent practice.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Signal operations are otherwise unaffected, and motorists are reminded to always exercise caution around pedestrians.
    Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Upon hearing the noise, everyone falls to the ground unconscious, except for Cameron, who is unaffected.
    Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Kiper calls him the best pure guard in the draft, a road-grader in the run game.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Booker seems like the top pure guard in this year's draft class, making his overall positional value lower.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The four categories are all color-coded to show their difficulty, with yellow being the easiest then green, blue and purple.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Although small businesses are the easiest to target, this issue also affects the marketing industry as a whole.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Ravi asks, an astoundingly naive question for a show like 9-1-1.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
  • In the February 1984 issue: Latin America: A media stereotype Over time, Vargas Llosa realized that this kind of reflexive leftism was naive.
    Ilan Stavans, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This situation would be a comedy of errors if not for its ending in tragedy: Andy is ignorant of Sherry’s affections, Sherry has no notion of Crawford’s intentions, and Crawford could not care less about either of them.
    Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Some sellers, who may only own a home for a few years, may be ignorant of its past.
    Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Making stupid internet fodder has never been easier than now, with the prevalence of AI image generators making everything from deepfakes to memes.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Much like the stupid prions wreaking havoc in his brain.
    David Oliver, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This alignment can ensure that business areas of greater risk receive the proper share of security funds, rather than sufficing the bare minimum required.
    Siranjeevi Dheenadhayalan, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
  • The formula’s lightweight feel layers well with or without lip products—wear on bare lips or atop lipstick.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Simple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/simple. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

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