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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

2 of 2

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

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 easy
Adjective
Police believed co-defendant Jorge Garza thought Gamez was an easy mark to rob for a gun, charges state. Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025 However, naming the best bike rack brand is easy: 1UP. Jakob Schiller, Outside Online, 20 Jan. 2025
Adverb
But New York got off easy compared to many areas across the U.S. Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2025 Maryland: The Terps made this victory easy after narrowly escaping against Michigan State last weekend. Noah Trister, Baltimore Sun, 3 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for easy 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for easy
Adjective
  • Chloe Legault took to TikTok the moment her boyfriend Louis' mom, Isabelle, took a simple task and made it into a heartfelt moment.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 24 Jan. 2025
  • The premise is simple: A proud dad gets his old band back together to play a song at his daughter’s wedding, only for the group to bash out an early Eighties-style hardcore song, replete with diatribes about Ronald Reagan and white picket fences, all while destroying the venue.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Although dogs appear to be less susceptible to the virus than cats, and generally experience milder symptoms, contaminated food products pose risks to canines, too.
    Emily Anthes, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
  • All skin is susceptible to the damage that UV rays can cause, including wrinkles, premature aging, and skin cancer, so slather yourself with a generous amount of SPF daily, and not just once.
    Emily Orofino, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Johnson spent time last spring and summer mentally preparing himself for what the head coaching job might entail to become comfortable making the leap.
    Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2025
  • These days, dress shirts are being retooled to reflect a preference for working in comfortable clothes.
    Max Berlinger, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • With a focus on soft, natural tones, sustainable materials and biophilic elements like plants and greenery, this trend transforms hospitality spaces into peaceful sanctuaries.
    Roger Sands, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Downy refers to the soft, white feathers located on a white stripe down its back.
    Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
Adverb
  • Avoid using easily guessable information, and consider using a password manager to store and generate secure passwords.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 26 Jan. 2025
  • Best Play In easily the game of the year for the Cowboys on a road visit against the Washington Commanders in late November, Dallas clung to a 20-17 lead with 3:02 remaining in the game as the Cowboys looked to snap a five-game losing streak.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Using a rubber spatula, fold in chocolate chips; stir mixture until smooth, about 1 minute.
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 21 Jan. 2025
  • The finish is long, smooth, warming, and lingering sweetness.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • This feature, which relies partly on a snug fit in the ear for the AirPods Pro 2, is turned on by default, and works across Transparency, Adaptive and Noise Cancellation modes.
    David Phelan, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Merrell When engineered correctly, a dual-Boa system delivers a snug, uniform fit that better secures the footwear comfortably around the entire foot.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • However, a handful of events will carry on with a charitable component, including the starry Clive Davis party and MusiCares tribute concert.
    Kirsten Chuba, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Jan. 2025
  • Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio.
    Jim Cramer, CNBC, 26 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near easy

Cite this Entry

“Easy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/easy. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.

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