1
as in naive
lacking in worldly wisdom or informed judgment
a simpleminded view of a complex problem
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2
as in foolish
showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment
scornful of their simpleminded belief that their parents would always be there to take care of them
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Recent Examples of simpleminded
Tranquillity, often simple but rarely simpleminded, may be Ruscha’s essential quality as an artist.
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Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 2 Oct. 2023
But in general election terms, impeachment is a boon for the Democrats, which is why McCarthy is desperately trying to slow-walk these simpleminded drives for vengeance.
—Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 7 July 2023
American democracy, as in the Electoral College, accommodates considerations more complex than simpleminded majoritarianism.
—George Will, chicagotribune.com, 3 May 2018
And with a smirking Clint Eastwood as the soldier, the story—which Cullinan told entirely from the points of view of the women—became a simpleminded demonstration of how devious women are.
—Charles Taylor, Newsweek, 22 June 2017
Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 2 Oct. 2023
But in general election terms, impeachment is a boon for the Democrats, which is why McCarthy is desperately trying to slow-walk these simpleminded drives for vengeance.
—Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 7 July 2023
American democracy, as in the Electoral College, accommodates considerations more complex than simpleminded majoritarianism.
—George Will, chicagotribune.com, 3 May 2018
And with a smirking Clint Eastwood as the soldier, the story—which Cullinan told entirely from the points of view of the women—became a simpleminded demonstration of how devious women are.
—Charles Taylor, Newsweek, 22 June 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for simpleminded
Adjective
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Mercifully, Newcastle came up against a Leicester side whose setup under Ruud van Nistelrooy was as naive as their defensive performance was pitiful.Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
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Season 1 introduced Amina (Anjana Vasan), a naive but musically gifted nerd who joins the band Lady Parts to get closer to one member’s hunky brother.Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2024
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If he can be had for under $10 million a year, the Yankees would be foolish to not pursue that idea.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
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What a degrading finale for Biden’s feeble, forgettable, frequently foolish presidency.Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Pay particular attention to Chapters 8 and 20, where Graham discusses the margin of safety concept and the simple but profound concept that buying a share of stock is actually owning part of a whole business.Robert Daugherty, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
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That’s right—a process that can involve doctors’ visits, insurance claims, and out-of-pocket costs was as simple as buying Band-Aids or shampoo or batteries.Jasmine Browley, Allure, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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For the people stupid enough to have trusted a midwit career bureaucrat as unscrupulous as President Joe Biden, there’s a sixth stage just before acceptance: delusion.Becket Adams, National Review, 8 Dec. 2024
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Wild Card with Rachel Martin Issa Rae on the belief that gets her through 'stupid mistakes and bad decisions' Lithgow: More.Rachel Martin, NPR, 8 Dec. 2024
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And thousands of kits that could free more innocent people have been left untested – again.Gina Barton, USA TODAY, 5 Dec. 2024
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While this sounds easy and innocent enough, FAFSA has the potential to become an insidious tool.Noreen Sugrue, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Packed with silly hijinks, this 2004 comedy also stars Kristin Chenoweth and Kristin Davis.Kelsie Gibson, People.com, 17 Dec. 2024
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But 2024 is not 2017; silly overlays have given way to undetectable beauty filters.Chloe Albanesius, PCMAG, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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But the series, like the film, shows that vampires are also multidimensional — vulnerable, emotional, funny, absurd — and completely out of place in the modern world.Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024
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Photo: Their lives often appear dramatic and borderline absurd.Daisy Jones, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Idiot glee is a kind of sheer joy at the mad fact of the world.Sean Illing, Vox, 9 Dec. 2024
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But neither doctors nor group therapy can see beyond a confused and maybe slightly mad person.Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near simpleminded
Cite this Entry
“Simpleminded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/simpleminded. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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