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as in soft
tolerant and kind in the judgment of and expectations for others despite her easy approach to discipline, she had a remarkably well-behaved class

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

easy

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adverb

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an easy task
a simple task
an effortless task
a trivial task
easy reading
simple reading
quick reading
light reading
effortless reading
basic reading
an easy installation
a simple installation
an uncomplicated installation
an effortless installation
a foolproof installation
a quick installation

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective easy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of easy are effortless, facile, light, simple, and smooth. While all these words mean "not demanding effort or involving difficulty," easy is applicable either to persons or things imposing tasks or to activity required by such tasks.

an easy college course

When is effortless a more appropriate choice than easy?

Although the words effortless and easy have much in common, effortless stresses the appearance of ease and usually implies the prior attainment of artistry or expertness.

moving with effortless grace

How do facile and easy relate to one another?

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

facile answers to complex questions

In what contexts can light take the place of easy?

The meanings of light and easy largely overlap; however, light stresses freedom from what is burdensome.

a light teaching load

When might simple be a better fit than easy?

The synonyms simple and easy are sometimes interchangeable, but simple stresses ease in understanding or dealing with because complication is absent.

a simple problem in arithmetic

When is it sensible to use smooth instead of easy?

In some situations, the words smooth and easy are roughly equivalent. However, smooth stresses the absence or removal of all difficulties, hardships, or obstacles.

a smooth ride

Examples 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 easy
Adjective
Blizzard’s goal with the redesign was to make Black Pearl 88 more maneuverable, lighter, and easier to handle—all without sacrificing power. Outside Editors, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024 That’s despite the Federal Reserve’s push to lower its key federal funds rate to make borrowing in the economy easier. Rob Wile, NBC News, 9 Nov. 2024
Adverb
What makes packing for Maui so easy is not needing to make room for heavy clothes. Lois Alter Mark, Travel + Leisure, 21 Oct. 2024 Water should only be applied from below since the fragile stems will easy bend from the force of overhead irrigation. Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for easy 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for easy
Adjective
  • Or that a different definition will make a theory simpler.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 18 Nov. 2024
  • If peace has always been but a simple voluntary choice, the price of human imperfection has been paid in the coin of perpetual war.
    Henry A. Kissinger, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Notably, losing an hour of daylight can take a toll on people who are susceptible to seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression that peaks during the darker winter months.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024
  • Cult experts say anyone is vulnerable because everyone is susceptible to influence.
    David Oliver, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • Underfoot, the flexible sole provides unobtrusive support and a stable, comfortable platform without drawing attention to itself.
    The Editors, Outside Online, 18 Nov. 2024
  • Seating is comfortable for five adults, with the experience provided by synthetic leather upholstery in lower trims, Genuine leather and Nappa leather in upper trims.
    James Raia, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Manu San Felix / National Geographic The Solomon Islands have the world’s second-highest coral diversity, with more than 490 species of hard and soft corals.
    Peter Guo, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
  • The decrease is attributed to a reduction in overall volume for OEM customers and a general reduction in demand for orthopedic soft bracing products.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
Adverb
  • In keeping with the theme of this column, every class of Nacogdoches, local or visiting, blended easily in this friendly oasis.
    Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Colors with shorter wavelengths, such as blues and violets, scatter more easily than colors with longer wavelengths, which include red and orange.
    John Tufts, The Courier-Journal, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Returning from larger stomping grounds to run one of the state’s most diverse cities is not always the smoothest transition, political experts have said.
    Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
  • Trump thanked President Joe Biden for a smooth transition of power during their White House meeting.
    Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The mummy-style bag includes a draft collar for a snug fit, yet there was still enough room to sleep on our side and rotate.
    Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 4 Nov. 2024
  • After making the bed, the sheets looked snug and smooth on the mattress.
    Kathleen Felton, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Additionally, are not deductible as charitable contributions on Schedule A.
    James Brewer, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
  • As my colleague Rachel M. Cohen reported, acts of service for family, friends, and neighbors are typically not counted as volunteering, and opening your home to relatives or sending remittances to them is not counted as charitable giving.
    Sigal Samuel, Vox, 18 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near easy

Cite this Entry

“Easy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/easy. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.

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