simplify

verb

ˈsim-plə-ˌfī How to pronounce simplify (audio)
Definition of simplifynext
1
as in to streamline
to make less complex you need to simplify this process somewhat or you'll never finish it today

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to explain
to make plain or understandable the book simplifies for the layman some concepts of economics

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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 simplify Lydian says this approach can cut project development timelines by up to two years by reducing site-specific engineering and simplifying construction. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026 Translating the watercolor study into print, Homer simplified the background and amplified the weight of the figure. — Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 31 July 2026 Pay attention to what creates unnecessary friction in your day-to-day life and simplify it. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 30 July 2026 All-in-one financial apps simplify money management by consolidating your accounts into one place. — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for simplify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for simplify
  1. streamline
  2. explain
  3. clarify
  4. illustrate
  5. demonstrate
Verb
  • On the other end are enterprises that generate value from AI through productivity and lower costs gained via automating customer service, streamlining business processes, and catching fraud.
    — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The goal is to streamline the QSR and retail technology stack, not complicate it.
    — Robert Messer, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of streamline
Verb
  • Rasa is also using AI to draft the statements that get sent to court, explaining to the judge why the expungement should be approved.
    — Andrea Hsu, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Malloy crisscrossed the state during his first few months in office, holding 17 town meetings to explain the fiscal ticking time bomb represented by unfunded pension obligations.
    — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of explain
Verb
  • Details of the investigation remain sparse, and Belichick did little to clarify matters, appearing to sidestep questions about how Lombardi’s indefinite absence could affect the team.
    — Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Russian Ambassador to Iraq Maxim Maksimov clarified that Iraq didn’t make any formal request for S-400s.
    — Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of clarify
Verb
  • The backtracking illustrates how the politics of criminal justice have shifted since 2020, posing dilemmas for Democrats’ midterm strategy and their ability to enact their preferred solutions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
  • With so many clubs stuck in that vast middle, Detroit’s predicament illustrates the fluid nature of this deadline.
    — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of illustrate
Verb
  • Only about half of employees in his research rated leaders highly in demonstrating care.
    — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • The complaint alleges those comments demonstrated bias and prejudice.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2026
Definition of demonstrate

Browse Nearby Words

simplifies
simplify
simplifying
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Cite this Entry

“Simplify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/simplify. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on simplify

Nglish: Translation of simplify for Spanish Speakers

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