simplistic

adjective

sim·plis·tic | \ sim-ˈpli-stik

Definition of simplistic

1 : simple

2 : of, relating to, or characterized by simplism : oversimple adequate, if occasionally simplistic, historical background— Harlow Robinson

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Did You Know?

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

a simplistic approach to a complicated problem His interpretation of the theory was too simplistic.

Recent Examples on the Web

Critics complained that the programs were too simplistic. — Sara K. Eskridge, Houston Chronicle, "Why Americans love Mayberry," 19 Aug. 2019 Some scientists dispute the Zimovs’ estimates of how many large animals were roaming around Siberia in the Pleistocene, or insist that their theory of ecological change, both past and present, is too simplistic. — Katie Orlinsky, National Geographic, "Arctic permafrost is thawing fast. That affects us all.," 16 Aug. 2019 But anti-Brexit politicians and historians say that view is too simplistic — and could end up making the U.K. weaker rather than stronger. — Washington Post, "Island or European nation? Rival views of UK shape Brexit," 11 Aug. 2019 Some might say these tactics are too simplistic to pose a threat to tech-savvy consumers. — David Lazarus, latimes.com, "‘Dark patterns’ are steering many internet users into making bad decisions," 25 June 2019 Political analysts in the media have access to the same voter data studied by Ms. Currid-Halkett, so why does the simplistic stereotype of left-behind rural rubes battling affluent urban sophisticates prevail? — WSJ, "‘Divided America’ Myth Strokes Elite Egos," 1 Jan. 2019 Compare Carmel's $10,000 tables to the more simplistic, folding $600 ones in the new Richard G. Lugar Plaza in Downtown Indianapolis paid by donations. — Kaitlin Lange, Indianapolis Star, "Here's how much Carmel's Midtown Plaza and its big screen TV cost taxpayers," 22 July 2019 That’s very simplistic, inaccurate, and an insult to Boris. — Kevin Cullen, BostonGlobe.com, "Sorry, terribly sorry, but the Brits will survive Brexit and Boris Johnson," 10 July 2019 At the same time, however, arguments about specific politicians are much too simplistic. — David French, Time, "My Fellow Republicans Must Stand Against the Alt-Right Virus Infecting America," 8 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'simplistic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for simplistic

simplistic

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of simplistic

disapproving : too simple : not complete or thorough enough : not treating or considering all possibilities or parts

See the full definition for simplistic in the English Language Learners Dictionary

simplistic

Definition of simplistic

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Examples of simplistic in a Sentence

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simplistic

Definition of simplistic

Other Words from simplistic

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Examples of simplistic in a Sentence

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