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Definitions

pure and simple

ADJECTIVE
mere
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bare minor pure sheer simple
STRONG
common entire little plain poor small
WEAK
bald blunt complete insignificant stark unadorned unadulterated unmitigated unmixed utter very
Antonyms
STRONGEST
decorated indefinite uncertain
STRONG
abnormal big enormous excellent extraordinary great huge immense important large superior uncommon
ADJECTIVE
pure
Synonyms
STRONGEST
authentic bright classic natural neat perfect plain real simple transparent true unadulterated
WEAK
24-carat clear complete fair flawless kosher limpid lucid out-and-out pellucid plenary straight total unalloyed unclouded undiluted unmingled
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abnormal cloudy complex complicated counterfeit dark decorated difficult dishonest embellished fake false intricate invalid obscure ornate unclear uncommon unintelligible unreal vague
WEAK
applied contaminated corrupt dirty immodest impure indecent indefinite mixed obscene polluted tainted uncertain unchaste ungenuine vulgar
ADJECTIVE
simple
Synonyms
STRONGEST
classic clean elementary modest plain pure uncomplicated
STRONG
absolute mere rustic single spartan vanilla
WEAK
austere discreet folksy homely homey humble inelaborate lowly not complex open and shut sheer unadorned unadulterated unaffected unalloyed unblended uncombined uncompounded undecorated unelaborate unembellished unfussy unmitigated unmixed unornamented unostentatious unpretentious unqualified
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abnormal abstruse complex complicated difficult dirty extraordinary immodest impure indefinite intricate polluted unchaste
WEAK
aware cluttered convoluted decorated embellished exacting intelligent jumbled mature older on-the-ball ornate smart sophisticated unclear unintelligible
ADJECTIVE
unvarnished
Synonyms
STRONGEST
candid straightforward unadorned
WEAK
bare clean down and dirty folksy for real frank genuine homey naked open open and shut pure simple sincere stark straight unconcealed undisguised undissembled unembellished vanilla
Antonyms
STRONGEST
deceitful devious
WEAK
dishonest falsified
ADJECTIVE
vanilla
Synonyms
STRONG
clean plain rustic
WEAK
austere elementary folksy homely humble inelaborate mid modest uncluttered uncomplicated undecorated unelaborate unembellished unornamented unostentatious unpretentious your basic

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Money, pure and simple, is a main reason.

From Barron's • Mar. 6, 2026

This, the body said, "constitutes, pure and simple, a form of cheating".

From BBC • Oct. 7, 2025

"Peskov is just lying there, pure and simple," Kirby said.

From Reuters • May 4, 2023

The cave diver tweet is a pure and simple ragepost.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 8, 2023

To the British, the Rhode Islanders who rolled the barrels off the ship so that they would not have to pay the sugar tax were smugglers, pure and simple.

From "Sugar Changed the World: A Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom, and Science" by Marc Aronson