1
as in naive
lacking in worldly wisdom or informed judgment
a simpleminded view of a complex problem
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in foolish
showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment
scornful of their simpleminded belief that their parents would always be there to take care of them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 simpleminded
Tranquillity, often simple but rarely simpleminded, may be Ruscha’s essential quality as an artist.
—
Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 2 Oct. 2023
But in general election terms, impeachment is a boon for the Democrats, which is why McCarthy is desperately trying to slow-walk these simpleminded drives for vengeance.
—Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 7 July 2023
American democracy, as in the Electoral College, accommodates considerations more complex than simpleminded majoritarianism.
—George Will, chicagotribune.com, 3 May 2018
And with a smirking Clint Eastwood as the soldier, the story—which Cullinan told entirely from the points of view of the women—became a simpleminded demonstration of how devious women are.
—Charles Taylor, Newsweek, 22 June 2017
Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 2 Oct. 2023
But in general election terms, impeachment is a boon for the Democrats, which is why McCarthy is desperately trying to slow-walk these simpleminded drives for vengeance.
—Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 7 July 2023
American democracy, as in the Electoral College, accommodates considerations more complex than simpleminded majoritarianism.
—George Will, chicagotribune.com, 3 May 2018
And with a smirking Clint Eastwood as the soldier, the story—which Cullinan told entirely from the points of view of the women—became a simpleminded demonstration of how devious women are.
—Charles Taylor, Newsweek, 22 June 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for simpleminded
Adjective
-
By my naive estimation, our home sat at least three blocks south of the street no wildfire could realistically cross in any event other than the biblical apocalypse.—
Mikey O'Connell,
The Hollywood Reporter,
13 Jan. 2025
-
Zelensky called it naive to say Putin wants to finish the war, and urged Trump to demonstrate strength in any talks with the Russian leader.—
Laura Kelly,
The Hill,
10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The grade partly reflects the inevitable hot streak that would make a lower grade look foolish.—
Allan Mitchell,
The Athletic,
10 Jan. 2025
-
In other words, the labor market and the economy remain strong and solid on their own, but could be undone by foolish economic policies that our politicians might implement.—
Harry Holzer,
Forbes,
10 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
-
Still, incorporating advanced technology isn’t always simple.—
Rhett Power,
Forbes,
12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
So ridiculous the referee initially had trouble believing that anyone could be so reckless & stupid.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
The Athletic,
6 Jan. 2025
-
And there was no such thing ever as a bad decision or a stupid question.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
4 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
They have been used before in crowded city centers in Europe to take innocent lives and spread fear.—
Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell,
Newsweek,
16 Jan. 2025
-
What does that have to do with innocent bystander Zac Efron?—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The Couple Next Door The Bottom Line PG-13 partner-swapping upstaged by silly thriller subplots.—
Daniel Fienberg,
The Hollywood Reporter,
17 Jan. 2025
-
In the unreliable reality the older Owen inhabits, his favorite childhood show was in fact silly, sloppy, and decidedly low-stakes.—
Samantha Allen,
Them,
14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Lies, no matter how absurd, gain traction the more they're repeated.—
Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell,
Newsweek,
16 Jan. 2025
-
In yet another absurd Elon Musk news story, it's been revealed that people are betting on how many times the owner of X will post on his platform in a week.—
Jibin Joseph,
PCMAG,
15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The elaborate choreography and colorful vision match Vincente Minnelli’s style but underneath carry a delirious energy equal to Ken Russell’s maddest visions of neurotic excess.—
Armond White,
National Review,
10 Jan. 2025
-
Everton had many mad weeks under former owner Farhad Moshiri, but this one has rivalled them.—
Patrick Boyland,
The Athletic,
10 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near simpleminded
Cite this Entry
“Simpleminded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/simpleminded. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share