guileless

adjective

ˈgī(-ə)l-ləs How to pronounce guileless (audio)
Definition of guilelessnext
as in unaffected
free from any intent to deceive or impress others she was an easygoing, guileless young woman who was comfortable just being herself

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 guileless Five goals down at half-time, the Azerbaijani champions were hapless and guileless, incapable of delaying or deflecting Gordon’s acceleration and utterly without attacking merit until the game was yanked far beyond them. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026 The child is as smart and cunning as Dunk is thick and guileless. — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026 Ardies plays Hulda, a guileless girl, full of excitement at the prospect of womanhood. — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 6 Dec. 2025 The key for all these people has been a great smile — broad, toothy, guileless — to emphasize the schism between the Others’ experience of togetherness and Carol’s deepening loneliness. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for guileless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guileless
  1. unaffected
  2. genuine
  3. honest
  4. innocent
  5. simple
  6. true
  7. naive
Adjective
  • The version included in the NDAA limits the restrictions solely to military procurement, leaving commercial imports and private-sector sales unaffected for now.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 24 July 2026
  • If approved by voters, the measure, backed by the Coalition for a Healthy Massachusetts, would outlaw recreational cannabis sales and home cultivation, though adult possession and medical cannabis programs would remain unaffected.
    — A.J. Herrington, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of unaffected
Adjective
  • Whether this episode develops into a genuine challenge for the presidency remains to be seen.
    — Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • America’s iconic third spaces—bars, restaurants, official and de facto fan zones—have been a circus of joy, noise and genuine human connection.
    — Leo MacLehose, Sportico.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of genuine
Adjective
  • Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 Home and ambition may need a more honest handoff.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Effective communication should be honest, consistent, and rooted in core values, acknowledging that many boycotts occur invisibly through personal networks, not just public channels.
    — Edward Segal, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of honest
Adjective
  • Petticrew broke out stateside by playing IRA activist Dolours Price, a woman whose understandable aggrievement led her to harm innocent civilians as well as herself.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 27 July 2026
  • Killing children and other innocent Palestinians, then stealing land under a false prophecy is not defending Israel.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 26 July 2026
Definition of innocent
Adjective
  • Abernathy Greenway Park walk with Trees Atlanta Take a walk through the park with a Trees Atlanta docent, who will teach simple tricks for telling trees apart and share stories about why trees are important and how to protect them.
    — Mary Caldwell, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The Oldest Person in the World takes an ostensibly simple premise and explores its deeper resonance.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of simple
Adjective
  • Instead, the shoreline is made up of rocky outcroppings, making the pools—and the views—the true focal point.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Thankfully for Chad Gable, his loss came in the match of the year in 2026, and this led to a babyface redemption tour with Chad Gable playing his true self as opposed to a heel luchador.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of true
Adjective
  • If Keegan’s Newcastle could be naive and beautiful as well as destructive, Howe built a team of hard-running swarmers who, at their best, would do anything in their power to win.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 30 July 2026
  • In that climate, long-term loyalty to a single company can feel naive, even counter to one’s own interests.
    — Kate Vitasek, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of naive

Browse Nearby Words

guilefulness
guileless
guilelessly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Guileless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guileless. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on guileless

Nglish: Translation of guileless for Spanish Speakers

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