1
as in superficial
having or showing a lack of depth of understanding or character
the movie takes a facile look at what happens when teens enter into serious romantic relationships
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in easy
involving minimal difficulty or effort
a few early facile victories misled the country into thinking that the war would be short and relatively painless
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 facile
That approach will get us a lot further than facile comparisons to our closest relatives.
—
Agustín Fuentes, Discover Magazine, 10 July 2018
In a period when figurative painting with distinct social narratives has been dominant, while facile abstract painting abounds, a fine survey of Morris’ savvy, often unexpected abstractions is especially disarming.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 19 Nov. 2022
But those additions are also facile targets, and still don't come close to explaining the increase in the sticker price for college, Akers said.
—Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2022
Bercot’s facile visual style is not as sensual or tactile as Chéreau’s, who endowed the brothers played by Bruno Todeschini and Éric Caravaca with an unforgettably physical, sculptural presence.
—Armond White, National Review, 2 Nov. 2022
See All Example Sentences for facile
Agustín Fuentes, Discover Magazine, 10 July 2018
In a period when figurative painting with distinct social narratives has been dominant, while facile abstract painting abounds, a fine survey of Morris’ savvy, often unexpected abstractions is especially disarming.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 19 Nov. 2022
But those additions are also facile targets, and still don't come close to explaining the increase in the sticker price for college, Akers said.
—Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2022
Bercot’s facile visual style is not as sensual or tactile as Chéreau’s, who endowed the brothers played by Bruno Todeschini and Éric Caravaca with an unforgettably physical, sculptural presence.
—Armond White, National Review, 2 Nov. 2022
See All Example Sentences for facile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for facile
Adjective
-
The nurse sustained a superficial wound to his cheek and was treated off of the island, officials said.—
Graham Rayman,
New York Daily News,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Consumers and fans connect with authenticity, not a superficial redesign.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
These groups are color-coded by difficulty level: yellow (easiest), green, blue, and purple (hardest).—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
-
What makes something so complicated is when there’s no one to blame — that would be so easy.—
Jason Lipshutz,
Billboard,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
And like the community’s morel mushrooms that seem to grow well over shallow, hastily dug graves, there’s a sense of mulchy inevitability about it.—
Joshua Rothkopf,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Mar. 2025
-
There are multiple issues with this shallow excuse.—
Gavriella Epstein-Lightman,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
All of this is a vaguely long-winded way of making a simple point — the outlook for Wolves’ defence has changed dramatically over the course of this season.—
Steve Madeley,
The Athletic,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Combining crisp water, sun-dappled shade, and the simple pleasure of drifting with the current creates the perfect recipe for vacation memories.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Pedal assist, via a cadence sensor, was smooth enough but not torque-sensor smooth; the bike’s (and rider’s) weight helps to smooth out engagement.—
William Roberson,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
-
Lime, cilantro, chile and oregano are blended until smooth, then poured over mashed avocados.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Read: The cost of avoiding microplastics In the mid-1990s, China emerged as the principal destination for used cups, straws, and the like; the country’s growing manufacturing sector was eager to make use of cheap, recycled raw plastic.—
Scott W. Stern,
The Atlantic,
10 Mar. 2025
-
Seeds are also cheaper than purchasing young plants.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
9 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Facile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/facile. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share