simple-mindedness
1
7.2
- noun
- /ˈsɪmpəlˈmaɪndədnəs/
- Offensive
- The student's simple-mindedness was evident in her naive questions about the world.
Examples
-
This combination of simple-mindedness and cruelty is demented.
Blog text (20) -
In that, the last couple of years of the internet have eroded any sort of simple-mindedness.
Blog text (2) -
When she does, I am inevitably embarrassed about my simple-mindedness and lack of insight, a shortcoming she seems either oblivious to or willing to overlook.
Fiction book (1998) -
His simple-mindedness made it difficult for him to understand the complex situation.
-
Despite his simple-mindedness, he had a kind heart and always meant well.
Synonyms
6
6.1
Lack of experience or common sense that makes someone trust others easily
4
5.4
A person or idea that shows little deep thought and weak feeling
3
6.2
A state of not understanding things quickly
2
8.1
Being trusting and easily fooled because of little experience
1
8.1
Being slow to understand or notice things
1
7.7
Not able to understand things quickly
1
7.0
Being too quick to trust people and not thinking deeply
1
6.4
A lack of experience and knowledge about how the world works
1
6.8
A lack of experience and knowledge of the wider world that makes a person seem simple
1
7.7
A quality of being slow to understand and making simple mistakes
1
3.8
Slow thinking and trouble understanding new things
1
8.1
A state when someone is slow to understand things
A lack of noticing or understanding other people's feelings and needs
Antonyms
How Simple-Minded
12
3.4
50
2.7
- Offensive
1
7.2
6
6.1
1
6.8
Surface Forms
Morphology
simple-mindedness = simple-minded (transparent) = simple + mind + ed + ness
The adjective 'simple-minded' is transparently formed from 'simple' + the combining element '-minded' (having a certain mind), and adding '-ness' forms the noun denoting that quality.
Etymology
Simple-mindedness is made of simple ('not complex'), mind ('thought'), and the ending -ness ('quality'), so it literally means the 'quality of a simple mind'. That's why it describes someone who thinks in a basic, not very deep way.