variants or naïve
Definition of naivenext
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Synonym Chooser

How is the word naive different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of naive are artless, ingenuous, natural, and unsophisticated. While all these words mean "free from pretension or calculation," naive suggests lack of worldly wisdom often connoting credulousness and unchecked innocence.

politically naive

When can artless be used instead of naive?

The meanings of artless and naive largely overlap; however, artless suggests a naturalness resulting from unawareness of the effect one is producing on others.

artless charm

When is it sensible to use ingenuous instead of naive?

Although the words ingenuous and naive have much in common, ingenuous implies inability to disguise or conceal one's feelings or intentions.

the ingenuous enthusiasm of children

When would natural be a good substitute for naive?

The synonyms natural and naive are sometimes interchangeable, but natural implies lacking artificiality and self-consciousness and having a spontaneousness suggesting the natural rather than the man-made world.

her unaffected, natural manner

In what contexts can unsophisticated take the place of naive?

While in some cases nearly identical to naive, unsophisticated implies a lack of experience and training necessary for social ease and adroitness.

unsophisticated adolescents

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of naive Whitehead has long cultivated a faux-naïve persona in book talks and opinion pieces. Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 22 June 2026 There are definitely laughs in Maddie’s Secret, but the point of the movie is almost to get beyond them, to the place where naive hokum could yield moments of inexplicable resonance. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 19 June 2026 Season 2 follows two couples on a path of mutual destruction, one older and jaded and one young and naive. Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 17 June 2026 Some of the sequel’s details are charmingly naive. Neil Oseman, Space.com, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for naive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naive
Adjective
  • But the document also made clear, as every criminal case must, that the charges were accusations and that the defendant was presumed innocent until proven guilty.
    Jon Duffy, Mercury News, 25 June 2026
  • Nearly two-dozen suspects are now off the streets after being charged with dozens of shootings involving innocent bystanders.
    Ali Bauman, CBS News, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • Undergraduate lending is largely unaffected.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 25 June 2026
  • While iPhones remain unaffected for now, industry analysts like Tarun Pathak suggest this move reflects a broader shift in consumer electronics pricing.
    Prakhar Khanna, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • According to Martin Velasquez, a Yuma Proving Ground team lead, earlier CROWS variants were too large for the platform, did not meet transport requirements, and were susceptible to damage during sustained firing.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 28 June 2026
  • Since the 1970s, engineers have known that concrete buildings are particularly susceptible to earthquakes and seek to reinforce new construction with steel.
    ABC News, ABC News, 27 June 2026
Adjective
  • As for the volunteers, the goal is simple—help someone stay safe before the heat turns into an emergency.
    Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • Evidence for at-home tools is thinner than for professional manual drainage, but the simplest options can offer mild circulation and surface-lymph support at a low price.
    Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • The family of a 26-year-old man who was shot and killed in Fort Worth last week remembers his bright smile and genuine laugh.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 June 2026
  • The film, based on Thomas Perry’s novel Strip, wears its influences — ranging from Elmore Leonard to Carl Hiaasen to Quentin Tarantino — heavily, without the genuine wit of many of its predecessors.
    Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 22 June 2026
Adjective
  • The interior also comes with a cotton liner, which will be much easier to spot-clean should your cosmetics or snacks leave a stain.
    Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026
  • Keep in mind that Santorini’s wine story is also an agricultural story, and Gaia makes that easier to feel.
    Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • The subtext beneath that statement is that Syd recognizes why Tina might be loath to take orders from a boss who is younger and, relative to Carmy, inexperienced in the business.
    Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 June 2026
  • Army investigations have repeatedly pointed to the same factors contributing to fatal training incidents including sleep deprivation, inadequate training and inexperienced leaders supervising high-risk exercises.
    ABC News, ABC News, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • September 23 – October 22 Where can balance invite honest progress?
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2026
  • Let’s be honest, flip-flops aren’t known for their support—but somehow, these under-$20 sandals have racked up hundreds of five-star reviews raving about their comfort.
    Genevieve Cepeda, InStyle, 27 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Naive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/naive. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.

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