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as in stupid
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily don't be so quick to characterize people who have trouble with computers as simple

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective simple contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of simple are easy, effortless, facile, light, and smooth. While all these words mean "not demanding effort or involving difficulty," simple stresses ease in understanding or dealing with because complication is absent.

a simple problem in arithmetic

When could easy be used to replace simple?

The meanings of easy and simple largely overlap; however, easy is applicable either to persons or things imposing tasks or to activity required by such tasks.

an easy college course

In what contexts can effortless take the place of simple?

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

moving with effortless grace

How are the words facile and easy related as synonyms of simple?

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

facile answers to complex questions

When is light a more appropriate choice than simple?

Although the words light and simple have much in common, light stresses freedom from what is burdensome.

a light teaching load

When is it sensible to use smooth instead of simple?

The synonyms smooth and simple are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 simple Plus, setting it up is super simple, the bass is strong enough to shake your room, and the Dolby Atmos feature adds this amazing 3D feel to the audio that pulls you into the action. Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 23 May 2025 The dish is simple, a bowl of roasted corn is topped with a large dollop of mayo and a tangy-spicy sauce, then dusted with cotija cheese and chili powder. Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2025 Experts say these are all the benefits of this simple exercise Is Zone 2 cardio best for fat loss? Daryl Austin, USA Today, 12 May 2025 Simple Systems: Create ease and flow with simple back-end structures and client journeys. Christine Williams, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for simple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for simple
Adjective
  • The plain version of the chips got a high score, while the other, with a tequila lime flavoring, scored poorly.
    Maria Godoy, NPR, 26 May 2025
  • To critics, the obvious answer would be ego, stubbornness or just plain stupidity.
    Robert Pearl, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Adjective
  • During the two-and-a-half years when one of the four tubes will be shut to train traffic, the current LIRR and Amtrak schedules — both of which were slightly reduced as of November in anticipation of the shutdown — should, in theory, be unaffected.
    Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 22 May 2025
  • In addition, although students with high SAT scores were largely unaffected by course shutouts, students with low SAT scores experienced more negative effects, particularly a lower likelihood of declaring a STEM major.
    Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • Here are some of the best words to describe his work: simple, clean, clear, pure and, above all, elegant.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2025
  • In March, it was revealed that Tesla, which only sells pure battery vehicles, fell behind BYD in total annual sales.
    Dylan Butts, CNBC, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • With summer approaching, the Milky Way becomes easier to see, but spotting it won't be as simple as looking up at the sky.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 20 May 2025
  • There’s no shortcut to that, and nobody’s been able to come up with an easier, better way to do it, which is why people have stopped doing it.
    Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • The first big work people make, that first foray into the public eye, has something so naive about it.
    Simon Thompson, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
  • But his answers Thursday painted the picture of an organization willing to trust internal answers over trading Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon or Michael Porter Jr. That is either delusional, naive, or both.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • Trump has no knowledge of military history and has surrounded himself with advisers equally ignorant.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2025
  • Anger materializes in people who are toxic and ignorant.
    Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • Not just on the training pitch but in the dorm rooms, talking about the future and giggling at stupid jokes.
    Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 21 May 2025
  • President Donald Trump said only stupid people would refuse a $400 million gift.
    Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • Rickson stages both plays with elegant restraint, arranging just a few bits of furniture in front of a bare brick wall.
    Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 22 May 2025
  • Worn with otherwise fresh and dewy no-makeup makeup, the effect is so summery; the lashes and bare skin feel like a pool day in makeup form.
    Marci Robin, Allure, 21 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Simple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/simple. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

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