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
as in naturalness
the quality or state of being simple and sincere
the small-town boy's guilelessness is endearing, but it may not serve him well in the ruthless big city
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of guileless
Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 13 Dec. 2024
In the book, Dave depicted Toph (short for Christopher) as a guileless kid, the personification of hope.
—Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024
Mickey 17 is as guileless as Candide, while his successor is more aggressive and shifty-eyed.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025
The older-younger generational divide emerges in an entirely different way in the latter episodes, with a growing riff between pragmatic (some would say selfish) Gen Xers and more idealistic and collectivist (some would say guileless) younger millennial and Gen Zers.
—James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for guileless
Adjective
Yet in Allerton’s presence, Lee becomes a charmer who seems as guileless as a stammering schoolboy.
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 13 Dec. 2024
In the book, Dave depicted Toph (short for Christopher) as a guileless kid, the personification of hope.
—Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024
Mickey 17 is as guileless as Candide, while his successor is more aggressive and shifty-eyed.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025
The older-younger generational divide emerges in an entirely different way in the latter episodes, with a growing riff between pragmatic (some would say selfish) Gen Xers and more idealistic and collectivist (some would say guileless) younger millennial and Gen Zers.
—James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for guileless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guileless
Adjective
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Signal operations are otherwise unaffected, and motorists are reminded to always exercise caution around pedestrians.—
Arick Wierson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Apr. 2025
-
Upon hearing the noise, everyone falls to the ground unconscious, except for Cameron, who is unaffected.—
Christopher Rudolph,
People.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Here's what to know about haints, including a compilation of viewers' genuine reactions to Coogler's subtle reference.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
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That genuine bond off-screen has helped bring the series to life in a way that connects with viewers.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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His request to keep Morales’ bond at $5 million was denied when Murphy acquiesced a request made by Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Howard S. Stein to raise bail by $2.5 million now that Morales no longer has the presumption of innocence.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
22 Apr. 2025
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The 48-year-old, who pleaded not guilty in 2020, took the stand in his defense last week, reaffirming his claim of innocence.—
Muri Assunção,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Since 1973, at least 200 innocent people have been exonerated due to wrongful convictions.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
-
In a nearly 400-page petition to the California Court of Appeals, filed Friday night, the LA Innocence Project argued Scott Peterson is innocent and his conviction should be overturned.—
Santina Leuci,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The simplicity of his resting place follows the express request made by Francis in his will.—
Fatima Al-Kassab,
NPR,
25 Apr. 2025
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Asawa’s own words posted throughout the exhibit reflect the simplicity of her genius.—
Robert Taylor,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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And, to be honest, her description of the breakup at that time sounded a lot more amicable than it’s been sounding lately.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
24 Apr. 2025
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But only if leaders have the appetite for that kind of honest data.—
Aparna Rae,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Leaders can use short, personal video messages for feedback, recognition and updates because video conveys something text never will: tone, sincerity and connection.—
Chris Savage,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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While some moments certainly sizzle more than others, there’s more than enough sincerity and goofy charisma on stage to keep the show powered.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The simplest way, Studholme suggests, is to use one group of neutrals or a tone on tone graduation of the same color, such as Pigeon, Blue Gray, Muzzle and Cromarty from Farrow & Ball, for example.—
Ariel Okin,
Vogue,
18 Apr. 2025
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Will people be more open and accept that a simple, inexpensive date isn’t the sign of low effort but rather a reflection of the economy none of us asked for?—
Myisha Battle,
Time,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Guileless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guileless. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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