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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
For anyone looking for a dependable, budget-friendly laptop that’s easy to carry and gets the job done, this MacBook Air checks all the boxes. New Atlas, 13 Apr. 2025 Level design is varied and intriguing, supercharged by power-ups and made easier with a slowdown feature, giving you time to breathe or respond to on-screen madness at the expense of your final score. Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Adverb
Still, familiar tunes that go down easy often turn into big hits. Caryn Ganz, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025 But tonight’s crossing would at least start out easy. Silvana Paternostro Nathalia Angarita, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for easy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for easy
Adjective
  • The simplest way, Studholme suggests, is to use one group of neutrals or a tone on tone graduation of the same color, such as Pigeon, Blue Gray, Muzzle and Cromarty from Farrow & Ball, for example.
    Ariel Okin, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Asked who’d buy these gold cards during an Oval Office meeting with reporters in February, Trump had a simple answer.
    Meehika Barua, HubSpot, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Those who are not vaccinated are susceptible to the disease, Calendar said.
    Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Bigleaf hydrangeas are susceptible to moisture loss through their large leaves and may require extra irrigation during the heat of summer.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But any exercises that feel comfortable (and safe) to you are fair game.
    Alice Oglethorpe, SELF, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Her spaniel, named Jasper, appeared to have snuck into the car and got comfortable on the backseat without her knowing.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • All while navigating the final stint on the soft tire for over 20 laps and keeping a surging Lando Norris behind him, not once losing his concentration.
    Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The Lightweight Sweats Classic Zip Hoodie is incredibly soft and pairs beautifully with their ultra-soft ribbed pieces like the Ribbed Modal Body Long Sleeve.
    Sarah Boyd, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Adverb
  • Ortega said balances grew during the pandemic as workers — and the rest of America — weren’t able to travel as easily for vacation.
    Melody Gutierrez, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • The Beach Club's toes-in-the-sand restaurant is easily among the best on the island.
    Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • These aren’t just cosmetic—they’re the kinds of behind-the-scenes changes that help make an already stellar game feel even smoother.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Each edge of this triangle-esque tool serves a unique purpose: a smooth, long side for sweeping over wider areas like calves, arms, and thighs; a precision tip for targeted acupressure; and a ridged edge for digging into tense tissue.
    Allure, Allure, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The luxury e-commerce retailer Net-a-Porter, Cultured magazine and the fashion label Proenza Schouler have also hosted dinner parties and events at Raf’s, where waiters nimbly zigzag among the dining room’s snug 11 tables.
    Laura Neilson, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Briggs & Riley Traveler Tote With generous interior storage for travel, Briggs & Riley Traveler Tote ($219) has a snug slip-through panel for stacking on a carry-on and a quick-access outside zip compartment for security essentials.
    Paula Conway, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio.
    Kevin Stankiewicz,Matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2025
  • To date, the company has invested roughly $230 million in global charitable programs and partnerships that impact the lives of millions of women, says Lucy Gildea, Mary Kay’s chief brand and scientific officer.
    Haniya Rae, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Easy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/easy. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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