simpleminded

adjective

ˌsim-pəl-ˈmīn-dəd How to pronounce simpleminded (audio)
Definition of simplemindednext
1
as in naive
lacking in worldly wisdom or informed judgment a simpleminded view of a complex problem

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of simpleminded Championship rings are not used as a measuring stick only by overcaffeinated fans and simpleminded columnists and talk-show hosts. — Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 30 July 2026 Tranquillity, often simple but rarely simpleminded, may be Ruscha’s essential quality as an artist. — 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
  1. naive
  2. foolish
  3. simple
  4. stupid
  5. innocent
  6. silly
  7. inexperienced
  8. absurd
Adjective
  • Brand New Day shows Peter leaving his more naive teen years behind and truly coming of age.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Ted was genuinely out of his depth, the conflicts felt earned, and the show still had to persuade audiences that its relentless optimism wasn’t naïve.
    — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of naive
Adjective
  • Drawing definitive conclusions from pre-season is foolish — but Lacey has shown his close control, pace, and scored an excellent goal in the previous friendly against Rosenborg.
    — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Johnson continued this week to push for his foolish and counterproductive desire to impose a $33-per-month tax on each Chicago job generated by the city’s largest private-sector employers.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026
Definition of foolish
Adjective
  • Abernathy Greenway Park walk with Trees Atlanta Take a walk through the park with a Trees Atlanta docent, who will teach simple tricks for telling trees apart and share stories about why trees are important and how to protect them.
    — Mary Caldwell, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The Oldest Person in the World takes an ostensibly simple premise and explores its deeper resonance.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of simple
Adjective
  • The case that American leadership in this technology carries a genuine security dimension has never looked stupid to me.
    — Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The women are in stupid costumes (Heather Gay is dressed as a leprechaun at one point) and yelling at one another for yet-unknown reasons.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of stupid
Adjective
  • The girl was described as an innocent bystander who was not involved in the confrontation that led to the shooting.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 5 Aug. 2026
  • But after endearing us to this eager and innocent narrator, Saunders blindsides us.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of innocent
Adjective
  • Every season of Strange New Worlds has featured at least one episode that emphasizes Star Trek’s silly side (and this may not be the last such outing in season four).
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The silly yellow fruit that became a part of their culture was freighted, from the start, with suggestive meaning.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of silly
Adjective
  • His successor is inexperienced Indiana transfer Alberto Mendoza.
    — Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Prongos is still understandably inexperienced in several areas and needs to get stronger.
    — Dane Brugler, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of inexperienced
Adjective
  • The show explores the darkly absurd side of modern-day male friendship.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Just absurd, and all happening in his first full season in the majors.
    — Matt Piper, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of absurd

Browse Nearby Words

simple
simpleminded
simplemindedness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Simpleminded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/simpleminded. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All