Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective facile contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of facile are easy, effortless, light, simple, and smooth. While all these words mean "not demanding effort or involving difficulty," facile often adds to easy the connotation of undue haste or shallowness.

facile answers to complex questions

When might easy be a better fit than facile?

The words easy and facile can be used in similar contexts, but easy is applicable either to persons or things imposing tasks or to activity required by such tasks.

an easy college course

When is it sensible to use effortless instead of facile?

While the synonyms effortless and facile are close in meaning, effortless stresses the appearance of ease and usually implies the prior attainment of artistry or expertness.

moving with effortless grace

When is light a more appropriate choice than facile?

The synonyms light and facile are sometimes interchangeable, but light stresses freedom from what is burdensome.

a light teaching load

Where would simple be a reasonable alternative to facile?

The meanings of simple and facile largely overlap; however, simple stresses ease in understanding or dealing with because complication is absent.

a simple problem in arithmetic

When would smooth be a good substitute for facile?

In some situations, the words smooth and facile 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 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 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for facile
Adjective
  • Dan echoed this sentiment, rejecting superficial solutions like additional meetings and emphasizing the need for meaningful work, fair pay, and flexibility.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
  • But if the models are doing something more superficial, then perhaps machine learning has no insights to offer linguistics.
    Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Here's an easy way to incorporate fascinating scholarship.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 8 Jan. 2025
  • The tune still reaches millions of people every week—maybe every day—and its unending popularity is easy to see by looking at the U.K. musical rankings.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The Metro Richmond Zoo shared a video of Poppy taking a splash in a shallow pool with her mom.
    Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
  • There are series with lazy writing, shallow characters, boring plots and even offensive elements.
    Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • My top answer is a simple and no-brainer recommendation: Wash your hands with soap and water.
    Amanda Schupak, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Adidas Originals Stan Smith Sneakers These iconic Stan Smith sneakers offer form and function thanks to their simple design, soft leather material (no blisters here!), and roomy fit.
    Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • To make the marinade, combine the remainder of the ingredients in a blender until smooth.
    Luke Fortney, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
  • Having lived through the stress of moving vehicles for years with Michael, Kali jumped at an opportunity last spring to join Getaway Day Agency, a vehicle shipping company that aims to make the car shipping experience as smooth as possible for professional baseball players.
    Melissa Lockard, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • New England legislators and regulators consistently blocked building additional pipelines from the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and other regions in the U.S. and Canada, which could bring cheap, onshore natural gas to replace fuel oil.
    Ariel Cohen, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
  • The 25-year-old is cheap, still a season away from salary arbitration eligibility, also plays the corner outfield spots, and won’t be a free agent until after the 2028 season.
    Brendan Kuty, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025

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Thesaurus Entries Near facile

Cite this Entry

“Facile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/facile. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

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