simpleminded

American  

[sim-puhl-mahyn-did, -mahyn-] / ˈsɪm pəlˈmaɪn dɪd, -ˌmaɪn- /

Or simple-minded

adjective

1. free of deceit or guile; artless or unsophisticated.

2. lacking in mental acuteness or sense.

   Synonyms:

   half-witted, dull-witted, slow, foolish, stupid

3. mentally deficient.

   Synonyms:

   half-witted, dull-witted, slow, foolish, stupid

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Other Word Forms

• simplemindedly adverb
• simplemindedness noun

Etymology

Origin of simpleminded

First recorded in 1735–45; simple + minded

Example Sentences

They use that intelligence — which is part of what corrupted them — to prey on more simpleminded folk who are virtuous.

From Salon • May 26, 2025

It also boils down the research efforts of an entire university to a single number to be used for simpleminded ranking.

From Scientific American • Mar. 19, 2019

“Human psychology is much more complex than the rather simpleminded economic model suggests,” Fukuyama concludes.

From The New Yorker • Aug. 27, 2018

Francis McDermott plays the same role she always plays, but this time with simpleminded nastiness that does not ring true.

From New York Times • Jan. 18, 2018

All that was left of her own blood was Hodor, the simpleminded giant who worked in the stables, but Old Nan just lived on and on, doing her needlework and telling her stories.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin