If you describe someone's arguments or suggestions as facile, you are criticizing them because their ideas are too simple and indicate a lack of careful, intelligent thinking.
[disapproval]
The subject of racism is admittedly too complex for facile summarization.
More Synonyms of facile
facile in British English
(ˈfæsaɪl)
adjective
1.
easy to perform or achieve
2.
working or moving easily or smoothly
3.
without depth; superficial
a facile solution
4. archaic
relaxed in manner; easygoing
Derived forms
facilely (ˈfacilely)
adverb
facileness (ˈfacileness)
noun
Word origin
C15: from Latin facilis easy, from facere to do
facile in American English
(ˈfæsɪl)
adjective
1.
not hard to do or achieve; easy
2.
acting, working, or done easily, or in a quick, smooth way; fluent; ready
a facile wit
3.
using or showing little effort and not sincere or profound; superficial
a facile solution, facile emotions
4. Rare
easy to influence or persuade; affable
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈeasy
Derived forms
facilely (ˈfacilely)
adverb
facileness (ˈfacileness)
noun
Word origin
Fr < L facilis < facere, do1
Examples of 'facile' in a sentence
facile
England's victory was facile and saved minimal face.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
1 (adjective)
Definition
(of a remark, argument, etc.) overly simple and showing lack of real thought
I hated him making facile suggestions when I knew the problem was extremely complex.
Synonyms
superficial
He only gave it a superficial glance through.
shallow
I think he is shallow, vain and untrustworthy.
slick
a slick, suit-wearing detective
glib
He is full of glib excuses for his past mistakes.
a glib sales executive
hasty
After the hasty meal, they took up their positions.
cursory
I gave the letter a fairly cursory reading.
2 (adjective)
Definition
easily performed or achieved
His facile win tells us he's in form.
Synonyms
effortless
In a single effortless motion, he scooped Frannie into his arms.
easy
This is not an easy task.
simple
simple pictures and diagrams
quick
ready
I didn't have a ready answer for this dilemma.
smooth
skilful
his skilful use of light and shade
adept
He is an adept guitar player.
fluent
She has developed into a fluent debater.
uncomplicated
It must be a very uncomplicated arrangement.
proficient
adroit
She is a remarkably adroit politician.
dexterous
As people grow older they generally become less dexterous.
light
He was on the training field for some light work yesterday.