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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 Track what brings business Your process on LinkedIn is simple. Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025 Ahead of the most important game of the year, Luke Esquivel said the key to a strong performance will be simple. Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 June 2025 White is easy, simple, and many times, the best choice for a clean slate. Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 5 June 2025 His investment process is simple enough: Select a trusted group of people to work with, and then rely on them to recommend the best pitches, talent and projects. Sara Merican, Deadline, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for simple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for simple
Adjective
  • Its impact on the modern environment is made plain when the geologist protagonist must flee terrible wildfires there.
    Diana Arterian June 5, Literary Hub, 5 June 2025
  • Spectators perceive tennis outfits as plain, boring, rigid or limited to a specific silhouette.
    Ruth Etiesit Samuel, Essence, 2 June 2025
Adjective
  • Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott emphasized that the city's drinking water remains unaffected by the spill.
    Barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
  • Tariffs imposed under a different legal authority called Section 232 — including on imports of autos, steel and aluminum — are unaffected by the ruling.
    Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 29 May 2025
Adjective
  • Perhaps the truth, however, is that Emmanuel-Thomas, in pure sporting terms, has always been something of a puzzle.
    Stuart James, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • Vionic Uptown Loafer The Vionic Uptown Loafers look like pure business on the upper, but the sole offers all the comfort and flexibility of a sneaker.
    Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • Jammy red Zinfandel like mid palate with flavors that are supple and light, with bright acidity and easy drinking.
    Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
  • Spray the slow cooker's crock with nonstick cooking spray for easy clean up.
    Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 1 June 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
  • Simone, still at the hospital, remains blissfully ignorant of Kiki’s vengeful turn.
    Caroline Framke, Vulture, 23 May 2025
  • Conservative media, once a proud home to voices like Charles Krauthammer, Jonah Goldberg, and Bill Kristol, now platforms ignorant Trump sycophants who have no use for conservative principles — or principles of any kind.
    S.E. Cupp, New York Daily News, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • Camp, stupid, joyful—to both own and access—Labubu has taken over.
    Lara Johnson-Wheeler, Vogue, 31 May 2025
  • This is just stupid how successful this is, but that’s really underselling it.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 31 May 2025
Adjective
  • Name: Itea virginica Size: 2-6 feet tall, 4-6 feet wide Zones: 5-9 19 of 20 Winterberry A slow-growing, deciduous, multi-stemmed shrub, winterberry is a show-stopper in winter when female plants produce an abundance of showy berries on their bare branches.
    Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 June 2025
  • At Keep Memory Alive’s The Power of Love Gala in February, the author told PEOPLE that the rest of her children were all buzzing about seeing their sibling bare it all on screen.
    Esther Kang, People.com, 3 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Simple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/simple. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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