French word

simpliste

Pronunciation

IPA/sɛ̃plist/

Meaning

  • adjectivesimplistic

Example

Cette explication est simpliste.

This explanation is simplistic.

Illustration for simpliste (simplistic)

More examples

Il a une vision trop simpliste du problème.

He has an overly simplistic view of the problem.

Core concept

A rough shortcut treats a complicated whole as if one surface feature explained everything.

Common phrases

  • une explication simpliste

    a simplistic explanation

  • un raisonnement simpliste

    simplistic reasoning

  • une vision simpliste

    a simplistic view

Similar words

superficiel: Focusing only on outward appearance without deeper thought.
réducteur: Reducing the scope or meaning of something complex.
simplifié: Made easier to understand by leaving out fine details.
sommaire: Brief and lacking important details.

Definition in French

S'utilise pour qualifier une idée, une explication ou une méthode qui paraît trop rudimentaire pour être fiable.

Word origin

The adjective simpliste developed from simple with -iste and came to describe ideas, explanations, or methods judged excessively simple.

Usage tips

  • Simple can be neutral or positive, whereas simpliste normally signals that the apparent simplicity makes the reasoning unreliable.

Other meanings

  • superficialadjective

Opposites

  • complexecomplexadjective
  • nuancénuancedadjective

Related words

Word lists with this word