simplistic

[sim-plis-tik]

adjective

1. characterized by extreme simplism; oversimplified.

   a simplistic notion of good and bad.

simplistic

/ sɪmˈplɪstɪk /

adjective

1. characterized by extreme simplicity; naive

2. oversimplifying complex problems; making unrealistically simple judgments or analyses

Usage

Since simplistic already has too as part of its meaning, it is tautologous to talk about something being too simplistic or over-simplistic

Confusables Note

Contrary to what some people believe, simplistic is not a fancy word for simple. Simplistic does not describe things that are easy to understand, deal with, or use. Those sorts of things are simply simple. However, if something is too simple—misleadingly so—then it is correctly called simplistic. An argument that glosses over or omits relevant facts and presents trite, hackneyed, slogan-like statements and sound bites is indeed simplistic. Simple —unlike simplistic —is a term that can describe not only issues, statements, and arguments, but all manner of things observable by our senses. It can describe art, music, food, clothing—just about anything. And it is a neutral term. That is, if something is said to be simple, that can be considered either a good thing or a bad thing depending upon one’s taste. But the word is very often used positively—as encapsulated in the well-worn creative principle “Less is more”—to describe language that is straightforward and easy to understand, clothing that is not overly elaborate or excessively decorated, or architecture with clean lines. And something simple can be elegant too. To describe such things as simplistic would be an insult to their creators. And it would be ironic to use what one thinks of as a more exotic, ornamental, impressive term to describe something clear or plain and unadorned—something that is, in fact, simple.

Other Word Forms

• simplistically adverb
• simplism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of simplistic¹

First recorded in 1855–60; simple + -istic

Example Sentences

It is easy to blame the U.S. for derailing the climate deal—but that would be an overly simplistic interpretation.

Read more on Barron's

It is easy to blame the U.S. for derailing the climate deal—but that would be an overly simplistic interpretation.

Read more on Barron's

He dismisses as “simplistic” the few pro-Franco polemicists who would give the dictator credit for the tolerant and democratic Spain that emerged after 1975.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A methodical, yet simplistic approach to filming the murder sequence in the finale was important to both Clarke and the co-creators.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The claimants' position that "they were the victors in this litigation" was "overly simplistic", he added.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• childish