as in naive
lacking in sophistication
a simplistic belief in claims of the product's effectiveness simplistic thinking
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Recent Examples of simplistic
Taking a Memorial Day road trip is possible, and can be fairly simplistic if drivers keep a few things in mind regarding driving range, optimal charging sessions, and routes.
—
Charles Singh, USA Today, 20 May 2026
Her unwillingness to see this complicated problem outside of a politically expedient, simplistic partisan lens is disqualifying.
—Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
In an email to the AP last year, Saphier said Trump’s advice to pregnant women not to take Tylenol, which promoted unproven ties between the medication and autism, was overly simplistic.
—Ali Swenson, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Overly Intricate Islands Overly intricate kitchen islands are less popular than those that are more simplistic in design.
—Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for simplistic
Charles Singh, USA Today, 20 May 2026
Her unwillingness to see this complicated problem outside of a politically expedient, simplistic partisan lens is disqualifying.
—Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
In an email to the AP last year, Saphier said Trump’s advice to pregnant women not to take Tylenol, which promoted unproven ties between the medication and autism, was overly simplistic.
—Ali Swenson, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Overly Intricate Islands Overly intricate kitchen islands are less popular than those that are more simplistic in design.
—Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for simplistic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for simplistic
Adjective
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Erin Dubreuil leads the cast as Cady, credibly playing a naive teen, but with the vocal and dance chops of an experienced pro.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 June 2026
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Palace require depth, and loaning anyone who is considered to be able to play a part would be naive.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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The actor, 39, pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor counts of simple battery in a Louisiana criminal court Wednesday, June 3, according to records obtained by USA TODAY.—
Liza Esquibias,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
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At the time, the New Orleans Police Department confirmed its officers charged LaBeouf with two counts of simple battery for allegedly assaulting two men near a bar in the French Quarter.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
Adjective
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Still, the film has its rewards, mostly of the unsophisticated kind, since the fight sequences come fast and furious and the cheesy dialogue has enough groan-worthy one-liners to inspire a thousand drinking games.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
6 May 2026
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Since then, officials have also warned that even unsophisticated drones can pose serious risks.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Simplistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/simplistic. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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