simplistic
adjective
Harlow RobinsonMatt RidleyNaomi Rosenblum
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The facts of nature and of life are more apt to be complex than simple. Simplistic theories are generally one-sided and partial, wrote the American clergyman James Freeman Clarke in the 19th century, nicely illustrating the difference between plain, ordinary simple and the then-new adjective simplistic. Simplistic is generally synonymous with oversimplified, but we didn't have the verb oversimplify and its participle oversimplified until well into the 20th century. Simplistic is sometimes used in the neutral sense of "not complicated" (in which case it is synonymous with simple) but this borders on misuse-simplistic is generally understood to be pejorative.
Examples of simplistic in a Sentence
Dennis Harvey, Variety, 29 Oct. 2024
His most simplistic films are criticized for giving heroes too much credit for reaching bare minimum levels of empathy far too late in life, while his best works showcase our capacity for prejudice so fully that its limitations and shortcomings are placed on full display.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 28 Oct. 2024
This time though, the windows featured more simplistic patterns and nature scenes.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2024
However, the numerous ways that impacts can alter the conditions on a planet suggest our simplistic sentiment that impacts are bad for life needs further thought.
—Conor Feehly, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024
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Dictionary Entries Near simplistic
Cite this Entry
“Simplistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/simplistic. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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simplistic
adjective
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