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 The youngsters are positionally naive, it must be said. Michael Cox, New York Times, 29 June 2026 Unsuitable leaders are chosen on irresponsible promises and then tossed aside in favor of new brazen or naïve overpromisers. Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026 In her own naive way, Miss Manners notices that your concern about gift cards requires a remarkable number of dollar signs to express. Judith Martin, Mercury News, 25 June 2026 This evolutionarily naive population will perform poorly in its new environment, reducing its effectiveness at controlling algal blooms. Eric Palkovacs, The Conversation, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for naive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naive
Adjective
  • All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
    Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
  • That law predates the much wider United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which took effect in 1994, giving ships the right of innocent passage through any country's territorial waters without paying a fee.
    Joanne Stocker, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • Unlike the 13 colonies, East and West Florida were largely unaffected by the British Stamp Act and other taxes that fueled resentment elsewhere because the colonies produced relatively little for the British colonial economy.
    Hank Tester, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • Undergraduate lending is largely unaffected.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • However, people with weakened immune systems or certain underlying health conditions may be more susceptible to infection.
    Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • Cooking Oils Cooking oils high in unsaturated fats, such as olive, walnut, and flaxseed oils, are among the pantry items most susceptible to heat damage.
    Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 1 July 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
  • Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley There may still be questions about whether the romance between Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley was genuine, and their secret, quick-turn overseas wedding didn't help matters.
    Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • This is a film with genuine heart and authenticity that reflects modern Britain while speaking to audiences far beyond its borders.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 July 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
  • Over the same period, entry-level head count at the high-intensity firms rose 12%, contradicting predictions and fears that young or inexperienced workers would be most at risk of losing their jobs to AI.
    Rachel Barber, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Immer and Lois work with land stewards to find projects that make sense for eager but often inexperienced volunteers.
    Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • Refine a portfolio piece, build a small prototype, or share a draft with someone who gives honest notes.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026
  • County officials have repeatedly warned that fraudulent claims take money away from public services and shift the tax burden to honest taxpayers.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Naive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/naive. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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