simplicity

noun

sim-ˈpli-sə-tē How to pronounce simplicity (audio)
Definition of simplicitynext
1
as in plainness
the quality or state of having a form or structure of few parts or elements the machine was designed with a simplicity that should ensure ease of use by almost anyone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clarity
clearness of expression the simplicity of this poem is beautiful

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in insanity
lack of good sense or judgment the stupefying simplicity of the generals who thought that war would be over in a month

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in naturalness
the quality or state of being simple and sincere answered the judge's questions with childlike simplicity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 simplicity But there is a certain ascetic simplicity to this labyrinthine heritage building that remains relatively unadorned. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 But the beautiful simplicity of East of Eden has always been its idea that nothing is finished. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026 These poems are made with some of the simplicity and directness of a song. — Colm Tóibín, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026 There’s something about the simplicity of it that demanded attention and craft. — Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for simplicity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for simplicity
  1. plainness
  2. clarity
  3. insanity
  4. naturalness
  5. unity
  6. madness
  7. innocence
  8. uniformity
Noun
  • The vestiges of his fading memory flash by with a haunting plainness, the melancholy of all this Americana and the sadness of a mind ravaged by time strike the viewer plainly at the end of this maximalist piece of life-writing.
    — Stephanie Wambugu, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The sheer fact of filming fills a frame, even one composed with quasi-documentary plainness, with a plethora of details of narrative, expressive, aesthetic, intellectual, and historical import.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 9 July 2026
Definition of plainness
Noun
  • There is little public clarity around the individual voters whose registration is being contested or how the administration began to question their eligibility.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Space Exploration Technologies could get a boost after reporting third-quarter results as investors gain clarity on several aspects of its business, according to Evercore ISI.
    — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of clarity
Noun
  • Claiming that white skin color is why Bueckers and other white women have had success/opportunities, is insanity.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • And that was like Vitalogy, probably the peak of the insanity.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of insanity
Noun
  • Beauty, grace, freshness, naturalness, youth—all qualities which women have so often been reduced to.
    — Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The young actors are appealing, led by Lilah Pate and Chabley Ponce; there’s a sweetness and naturalness to their cameraderie that stands out amid so much mugging and gives the film a lift.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of naturalness
Noun
  • On the home front, the success of a separatist party in Quebec is another threat to the unity that Carney is striving for.
    — Callum Sutherland, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The event as well as a luncheon the prior day in Santa Monica were rare displays of bipartisan unity at a time of heightened political polarization in the United States.
    — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of unity
Noun
  • This being Dodge, of course, the AWD is optional and can be shut off at will when the driver prefers rear-wheel madness.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Gold joined the show in Season 2, just as muppet madness was really taking off.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of madness
Noun
  • The joy and innocence that greeted students and teachers on their return to school in early September has been lost, replaced by a somber and quiet aura.
    — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Holmes, the former founder of Theranos who was found guilty on four counts of fraud in 2022 and who insists on her innocence throughout the documentary, begins her 11-year sentence in a federal prison in Texas.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of innocence
Noun
  • While it was designed to bring nationwide uniformity and stability to college athletics, its deficiencies are manifold.
    — Bruce Svare, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • In her recent guest essay for the Sun Sentinel, Erika Donalds would have readers believe that David Jolly’s education plan threatens parental choice and seeks to impose uniformity on Florida’s schools.
    — Crystal Etienne, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of uniformity

Browse Nearby Words

simpletons
simplicity
simplification
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Simplicity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/simplicity. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of fervid

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All