sim·plis·tic

(sĭm-plĭs′tĭk)

adj.

1. Characterized by oversimplification, as in ignoring complexities or complications: simplistic solutions that would not solve the budget crisis.

2. Usage Problem Simple.

sim·plis′ti·cal·ly adv.

Usage Note: The usual meaning of simplistic is "characterized by oversimplification." It is occasionally used to mean "simple," with no negative overtones, but this usage, as in The song is short and sweet, with admirably simplistic lyrics that carry such depth in so few words, was rejected by 84 percent of the Usage Panel in 2011.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

simplistic

(sɪmˈplɪstɪk)

adj

1. characterized by extreme simplicity; naive

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

ˈsimplism n

simˈplistically adv

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

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

sim•plis•tic

(sɪmˈplɪs tɪk)

adj.

characterized by excessive simplification; oversimplified.

[1855–60]

sim•plis′ti•cal•ly, adv.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Adj.

simplistic - characterized by extreme and often misleading simplicity; "a simplistic theory of the universe"; "simplistic arguments of the ruling party"

simple - having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved; "a simple problem"; "simple mechanisms"; "a simple design"; "a simple substance"

simplistic

adjective oversimplified, shallow, facile, naive, oversimple The logic behind the questions is too simplistic.

Usage: Since simplistic already has `too' as part of its meaning, some people object to something being referred to as too simplistic or oversimplistic, and it is best to avoid such uses in serious writing.

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

Translations

simpel

simplistic

[sɪmˈplɪstɪk] ADJ → simplista

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

simplistic

[sɪmˈplɪstɪk] adj [view, interpretation] → simpliste

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

simplistic

adj → simpel, simplistisch (geh); or am I being simplistic? → oder sehe ich das zu einfach?

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

simplistic

[sɪmˈplɪstɪk] adj (pej) (analysis, view) → semplicistico/a

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

Mentioned in

References in classic literature

* This is a simplistic and inaccurate picture of religious teachings.

View in context

This is made of the original Remain voters who didn't believe the simplistic messages on the side of a bus and simplistic statements from leading Brexiteers about easy exits, a land of milk and honey, plenty of money for everything and no penalties to the UK, the rest by people who are now seeing that they were duped also new younger voters who fear for their future.

Where will blame lie?

She added that the bill to lower the age of criminal liability is a 'simplistic response' to address the complex issue of juvenile delinquency.

CHR exec to cops: Intensify ops vs drug syndicates exploiting children

Book Of Demons is cute but the simplistic play ultimately lacks Diablo's addictive bite.

Book Of Demons

As a dose of simplistic, button-mashing hilarity with friends, there's few better (perhaps Super Mario Party) and for most players, that's all Super Smash Bros.

SUPER SMASH BROS. ULTIMATE Switch ....

Many post World War-II 'burden of debt' and 'growth' models are based on simplistic assumptions.

Debt burden

Summary: Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], Oct 31 (ANI-NewsVoir): The subtle and simplistic elegance of platinum has made it the most preferred choice for engagement rings amongst couples across the world.

John Stamos proposes with platinum engagement ring

But Rednal-based teaching union NASUWT criticised the move, claiming it was an "overly simplistic" way to measure pupils' abilities.

Teaching union slams times table tests for pupils

However, once again the focus of the Government's announcement is not about supporting teachers to use their professional skills and expertise to meet the needs of learners, but is about finding yet another overly simplistic, punitive measure to use against schools and teachers."

Union: Computer times table tests are not the answer; pupils' multiplication skills to give government snapshot of progress

The simplistic storytelling makes the novel a quick, easy read that appeals to reluctant readers; however, such simplistic storytelling lacks in-depth descriptions and complexity that might appeal to more advanced readers.

Clark, Kathy. The Choice

MANDY Boylett, UKIP Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Stockton North, Yarm, has simplistic and badly has simplistic and badly y informed views about the building of a new hospital at Wynyard.

Hospital work is essential; FEEDBACK

Writers use the word "simplistic" when what they want to use is "simple" or some other term denoting "uncomplicated" or "straightforward." Simplistic means none of these things.

Simply twisted?