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simplism

American  
[sim-pliz-uhm] / ˈsɪm plɪz əm /

noun

  1. exaggerated simplicity, as in concentrating on a single aspect or factor of a problem or situation while disregarding others; oversimplification.

    The senator is given to simplism in dealing with international issues.

  2. an act or instance of oversimplifying.

    to offer simplisms instead of analyses.

Etymology

Origin of simplism

First recorded in 1880–85; simple + -ism

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

References to disarmament tended toward simplism, and did no more than echo the general pleas made in Pacem in Terris.

From Time Magazine Archive

Nations and wars are too complex for such simplism.

From Time Magazine Archive

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.