different between simplifies vs simplistic

English

Verb

simplifies

1. Third-person singular simple present indicative form of simplify

French

Verb

simplifies

1. second-person singular present indicative of simplifier
2. second-person singular present subjunctive of simplifier

English

Etymology

simple +? -istic

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /s?m?pl?st?k/

Adjective

simplistic (comparative more simplistic, superlative most simplistic)

1. Overly simple.
2. In a manner that simplifies a concept or issue so that its nuance and complexity are lost or important details are overlooked.
   • 1960, Allen S. Whiting, China Crosses the Yalu: the Decision to Enter the Korean War

     (Mao's) reliance on simplistic Soviet interpretations was reflected in his dismissal of Hitler as "a mere will-less puppet of the reactionary capitalists."

   • 1967, Jacques Lambert, Latin America: Social Structure and Political Institutions

     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.

3. (obsolete) Of or relating to simples, or medicinal herbs.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of John Gardner Wilkinson to this entry?)

Usage notes

• Simplistic is not to be conflated with simple; simplistic implies simplicity that distorts the topic, whereas simple does not. Degrees of comparison such as "more simplistic" and expressions such as "overly simplistic" accordingly are in some sense tautological and some speakers avoid them.

Derived terms

• oversimplistic
• oversimplistically
• simplistically
• simplisticness
• unsimplistic

Translations

See also

• simplism n.
• simplistically adv.
• simpleton
• simplified

References