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Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of artless are ingenuous, naive, natural, and unsophisticated. While all these words mean "free from pretension or calculation," 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 artless?

While the synonyms ingenuous and artless are close in meaning, ingenuous implies inability to disguise or conceal one's feelings or intentions.

the ingenuous enthusiasm of children

When would naive be a good substitute for artless?

Although the words naive and artless have much in common, naive suggests lack of worldly wisdom often connoting credulousness and unchecked innocence.

politically naive

Where would natural be a reasonable alternative to artless?

While in some cases nearly identical to artless, natural implies lacking artificiality and self-consciousness and having a spontaneousness suggesting the natural rather than the man-made world.

her unaffected, natural manner

When might unsophisticated be a better fit than artless?

The synonyms unsophisticated and artless are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 artless His desire to control his own story may account for why his book about his years hiding under the fatwa, 2012’s Joseph Anton: A Memoir, was so artless, a tome of grievances and gripes; that was Great Man Rushdie laying claim to his own existence as intellectual property. Sanjena Sathian, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2024 Jean Seberg and Jean-Paul Belmondo are Patricia and Michel, the gamine and the criminal, simultaneously artless and deliberate. Ew Staff, EW.com, 7 May 2024 His pictures look perfectly artless, the opposite of the decisive moment and the epitome of the snapshot aesthetic. Vince Aletti, The New Yorker, 29 Jan. 2024 Cosentino has a rich, burly voice that’s unpretentious without feeling artless. Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 31 July 2023 See All Example Sentences for artless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for artless
Adjective
  • For example, many could be reassigned to jobs in city departments that are unaffected by the budget crisis.
    David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
  • However, even as many industries experience a general decline, there were five remote roles pointed out by FlexJobs that appear to be unaffected by the downward trend, and were in the highest demand in Q1 2025.
    Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Where the real Colin and Emma have trouble getting much further than a clumsy hug after a putt-putt date, some of the acting couples have increased their intimacy levels with breathtaking speed.
    Scott Tobias, Vulture, 12 May 2025
  • Word's document comparison interface is also clumsy and confusing compared with FineReader's.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Section meetings are open to members, guests and anyone with a genuine interest in UFOs/UAPs.
    Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 18 May 2025
  • For all the offseason acquisitions meant to bolster the rotation, starting pitching has become a genuine concern for Los Angeles.
    Sam Blum, New York Times, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • Proctor sent a series of rude, lewd and unprofessional text messages about Read and the investigation, which led to his firing.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2025
  • There was also a three-homer game for Pablo Sandoval in the 2012 World Series, but it’s considered rude to talk about that in 2025.
    Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • Experts say these are all the benefits of this simple exercise Is Zone 2 cardio best for fat loss?
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 12 May 2025
  • Simple Systems: Create ease and flow with simple back-end structures and client journeys.
    Christine Williams, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • In energy trading, U.S. benchmark crude oil added 64 cents to $62.59 per barrel.
    Matt Ott, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2025
  • The positive development has sent oil prices higher as well, with crude oil up over 3.5% in premarket trading.
    JJ Kinahan, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • But Gilroy is honest about the parts of Andor that have not been easy, too.
    Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 16 May 2025
  • Log in Real news can be honest, hopeful, credible, constructive.
    Taylor Luck, Christian Science Monitor, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • However, there are some plants that are less appealing to animals, such as those with pungent scents, fuzzy leaves, prickly or rough foliage, or a bitter taste.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 10 May 2025
  • But it must be remembered that even the best bullpen has at least one rough stretch in a season.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Artless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/artless. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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