Simplistic Meaning
/sɪmˈplɪstɪk/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjOverly simple.
adjIn a manner that simplifies a concept or issue so that its nuances and complexities are lost or important details are overlooked.
Sentence Examples
Now that was a simplistic answer.
When you analyse what he says, it seems somewhat naïve and simplistic.
That's kind of a simplistic way of looking at things.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The engineer rejected the ____ plan because it failed to address the system's hidden flaws.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
His view of the political situation was criticized for being too ____ and ignoring key details.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree English simple Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íďďō Ancient Greek -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō) Proto-Hellenic *-tās Ancient Greek -τής (-tḗs) Ancient Greek -ῐστής (-ĭstḗs)bor. Latin -istader. Old French -istebor. Middle English -ist English -ist Proto-Indo-European *-ikos Proto-Italic *-ikos Latin -icuslbor. Old French -iquebor. Middle English -ik English -ic English -istic English simplistic From simple + -istic.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"At one time, I was extremely skeptical of such simplistic medicine until observing a reflexologist at work and finding that many of the patients showed steady improvement in cases where official medical practitioners had recommended surgery or prescribed the usual quantum of pills. Along with the foot massage, the reflexologist recommended herbal teas to her clients."
— 2012, Wolf D. Storl, The Herbal Lore of Wise Women and Wortcunners, page 97:
"This simplistic method of using herbs isolates the disease from the person and the chemical aspects of an herb from its overall individual therapeutic effects."
— 2013, Lesley Tierra, Healing with the Herbs of Life:
"It might also be worth taking the simplistic claims of some of the herbal health books with just a bit more than a pinch of salt: if you do decide to try feverfew tea, or a liver flush mixture, do it for yourself, not for someone trying to sell a magazine or book."
— 2013, Andrew Vickers, Complementary medicine and disability, page 220:
"(Mao's) reliance on simplistic Soviet interpretations was reflected in his dismissal of Hitler as "a mere will-less puppet of the reactionary capitalists.""
— China Crosses the Yalu: The Decision to Enter the Korean War, Stanford University Press, 1968, →ISBN, pages 211–
"The cliché is not untrue, but, like all generalisations, it distorts reality so that overly simplistic judgments have to be tempered by a few qualifications."
— Jacques Lambert (1967), Latin America: Social Structure and Political Institutions, University of California Press, →ISBN, pages 107–
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The engineer rejected the ____ plan because it failed to address the system's hidden flaws.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
His view of the political situation was criticized for being too ____ and ignoring key details.