simplistic
characterized by extreme simplism; oversimplified: a simplistic notion of good and bad.
Origin of simplistic
1confusables note For 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 words from simplistic
- sim·plis·ti·cal·ly, adverb
Words that may be confused with simplistic
- simple, simplified, simplistic (see confusables note at the current entry)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use simplistic in a sentence
Such trials, while simplistic and plodding today, could eventually yield better techniques for detecting financial fraud or diagnosing diseases from MRI scans.
Alternatively, perhaps experiments done in non-human animals may be too simplistic to see the lack of pattern separation that Quiroga sees in his human experiments.
Person, Woman, Man, Camera, TV - Issue 93: Forerunners | Adithya Rajagopalan | December 2, 2020 | NautilusThe startup has spun out a rather simplistic app into a separate company and raised an undisclosed amount of seed funding from a very real venture capital firm at an eye-popping $200 million valuation.
MSCHF’s Push Party raises an unconventional seed round at a $200 million valuation | Lucas Matney | November 9, 2020 | TechCrunchWhile once a helpful reminder for developing responsive and user-friendly sites, this simplistic, either-or mentality doesn’t account for every possible touchpoint.
Optimizing the browser long tail across platforms, devices, and countries | Sanjay Sarathy | October 19, 2020 | Search Engine WatchPatterns and designs of desserts range from simplistic to intricate, making it perfect for artists of all ages.
That the sentiment is increasingly and simplistically being associated with Islam is as problematic as it seems inevitable.
Karen Armstrong’s New Rule: Religion Isn’t Responsible for Violence | Patricia Pearson | October 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
British Dictionary definitions for simplistic
/ (sɪmˈplɪstɪk) /
characterized by extreme simplicity; naive
oversimplifying complex problems; making unrealistically simple judgments or analyses
usage For simplistic
Derived forms of simplistic
- simplism, noun
- simplistically, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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