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simplism

simplism

8.7
Act of treating a problem as simpler than it is by ignoring important details
  • noun
  • /ˈsɪmplɪzəm/
translation icon : simplismo
  • Critics argue that simplism often overlooks the nuanced factors that contribute to social problems.

Examples

  • Simplicity is not simplism.

    Blog text (10)
  • The author's argument suffers from simplism, failing to address the complexity of the issue.

  • Presenting such a complex topic in just a few bullet points is an example of simplism.

Synonyms

oversimplification
vssimplism
10 7.0

Making something seem simpler than it really is by leaving out important details

is the practice of making topics seem too simple by omitting facts
trivialization
vssimplism
  • US
1 7.1

Making something seem less important or serious than it is

focuses on showing things as simpler, not merely less important
reductive analysis
vssimplism
  • Formal
1 8.2

A way of looking at a subject that makes it seem simpler than it really is

is a form of that approach aimed at making complex topics appear simple
reductive approach
vssimplism
7.4

A way of looking at something too simply that misses important details

is the habit of reducing complexity rather than showing full detail
Occam's broom
vssimplism
9.9

The act of leaving out difficult or inconvenient facts on purpose to make something seem simpler

is the intentional act of hiding complexity to make matters look simpler
6.4

A general way of dealing with something that ignores small details

is the practice of downplaying complexity rather than addressing specifics
dumbification
vssimplism
9.9

To make a story or other content simpler and less clever

centres on omitting complexity rather than only lowering style or intelligence

Antonyms

166 5.0

Many connected parts make something hard to understand

1 7.2

To add small, careful changes to something to change its meaning or feeling

How Nuanced

nuance
74 5.1
clarification
62 3.3
simplism
8.7

Surface Forms

simplism singular
simplisms plural

Morphology

simplism = simple (semi-transparent) = simple + ism

The word is built from simple + -ism, but the sense is a specialized pejorative idea of oversimplification rather than just 'simplicity.'

Etymology

Simplism comes from simple, meaning 'not complicated', and the ending -ism, which shows a 'practice' or 'belief'. So simplism is the practice of making something seem too simple and ignoring important details.