1
as in genuine
free from any intent to deceive or impress others
photographs that capture the ingenuous smiles of young children at play
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in naive
lacking in worldly wisdom or informed judgment
the story of an ingenuous newcomer to the big city who outwits the slickers at their own game
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ingenuous
Modern Love used a photo of David Bowie in a long dress as his profile picture, and so the ingenuous, myopic Floyd expects a woman.
—
Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
Unbeknownst to her parents, the sweetly ingenuous Katie has made friends with the generously candy-dispensing family next door, and is abducted one afternoon in the midst of a sweeping windstorm — a standout setpiece, awash in roiled dust and rising panic.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
Ross, meanwhile, exudes suspiciously ingenuous charisma as the heavily accented voice coming out of Meek’s Speak & Spell.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2026
The former spouses co-parent an ingenuous teen, Carmelo (Jalyn Hall).
—Judy Berman, Time, 20 Feb. 2026
By the water’s edge, her insecure 25-year-old son, Konstantin (Kodi Smit-McPhee), is mounting a post-apocalyptic play in which his enduring love, ingenuous country girl Nina (Emma Corrin), can act.
—Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 12 Feb. 2025
Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
Unbeknownst to her parents, the sweetly ingenuous Katie has made friends with the generously candy-dispensing family next door, and is abducted one afternoon in the midst of a sweeping windstorm — a standout setpiece, awash in roiled dust and rising panic.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
Ross, meanwhile, exudes suspiciously ingenuous charisma as the heavily accented voice coming out of Meek’s Speak & Spell.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2026
The former spouses co-parent an ingenuous teen, Carmelo (Jalyn Hall).
—Judy Berman, Time, 20 Feb. 2026
By the water’s edge, her insecure 25-year-old son, Konstantin (Kodi Smit-McPhee), is mounting a post-apocalyptic play in which his enduring love, ingenuous country girl Nina (Emma Corrin), can act.
—Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 12 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ingenuous
Adjective
-
Where Soap was straightforwardly in the realm of sitcom—leaning toward broad humor, underlined stylistically by the presence of a laugh track—Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman knew just how to strike that sweet spot between screw-loose absurdity and genuine pathos.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
The service Service is unfailingly warm, genuine, and solicitous—if occasionally slow.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
Not because older Americans are more naive.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
-
When it was first released in December 1980, it was seen as too weird for kids and too naive for adults, but it has since been reconsidered as a unique snapshot of intersecting talents — a strange, wonderful, one-of-a-kind movie.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
March’s closed sales reflect transactions that began in February — when average mortgage rates fell below 6% — and were likely unaffected by the sharp rise in rates following the start of the Iran conflict.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 May 2026
-
The lawsuit comes after the state's Supreme Court ruled last week that Hill’s actions triggered the legal presumption that the jury had been improperly influenced and that prosecutors failed to prove the verdict was unaffected.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
These armed hostilities have maimed, mutilated and killed millions of human beings — many of them innocent civilians.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
-
Becerra may have been an innocent victim, but $120,000 a year is a lot of money to pay someone to babysit a largely unused stack of cash.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Connection improves when curiosity gives both people more room to be honest without forcing agreement today.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
-
One honest budget check can keep the idea useful instead of impulsive.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
23 May 2026
Adjective
-
While the simple Deluxe Room is ideal for a quick overnight trip, guests looking for a longer stay should spread out in the Junior Suite with Living & Dining Area, which opens onto a semi-private stone patio with a bocce court and a firepit in the warmer months.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 May 2026
-
Huxley might easily have written a simpler novel glorifying intellectuals while mocking Stoyte’s greed and indifference to suffering.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
Adjective
-
Rarely were there any true freaks, which was where their sideshow stood out.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
Occupying four townhouses, its two-year refurbishment by award-winning architects Holland Harvey and interior designers Studio Est and Studio Mica has created something warm and true to its heritage yet modern, nature-focused and committed to social impact.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
The key with this inexperienced crew is patience.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
22 May 2026
-
When junior employees ask similar questions, it may be interpreted as being unprepared or inexperienced.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ingenuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ingenuous. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
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