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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ingenuous
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
Talk of a solution—of two states, of a confederation, of nearly any prospect for a secure and free mode of coexistence—has long been dismissed as either an ingenuous assertion of faith or a cynical pantomime, an empty gesture toward a future no one expects to see.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2025
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
Heathcliff, of course, is the prime example, growing from an ingenuous child into a glowering adult who spins all the considerable evil ever done to him — much of it based on race and class — into justification for his long game of retribution.
—Laura Collins-Hughes, New York Times, 18 Oct. 2022
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2026
The former spouses co-parent an ingenuous teen, Carmelo (Jalyn Hall).
—Judy Berman, Time, 20 Feb. 2026
Talk of a solution—of two states, of a confederation, of nearly any prospect for a secure and free mode of coexistence—has long been dismissed as either an ingenuous assertion of faith or a cynical pantomime, an empty gesture toward a future no one expects to see.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2025
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
Heathcliff, of course, is the prime example, growing from an ingenuous child into a glowering adult who spins all the considerable evil ever done to him — much of it based on race and class — into justification for his long game of retribution.
—Laura Collins-Hughes, New York Times, 18 Oct. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ingenuous
Adjective
-
But the program was able to ascend to another level when 6-foot-7 transfer Lauren Betts arrived from Stanford as a genuine superstar who changed the way the Bruins were able to play and the way other teams had to defend them.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The Israeli Pavilion welcomes all who come in a genuine spirit of exchange.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
There is still an almost naïve charm to how Aras speaks about hockey, his new obsession.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Felix is not naïve about this process.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That conviction is unaffected by the Supreme Court action.—
Mark Sherman,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The operations of the plant were unaffected.—
Garrett Downs,Azhar Sukri,
CNBC,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Critics of the system say its an invasion of privacy that creates a mass surveillance network and tracks innocent people during their daily travels.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The 50-year-old coach said the interaction was completely innocent.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
With the intuitive Moon in your sign, your 1st House of Perception asks for honest self-expression without overthinking.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2026
-
More astute attention to character development, and more honest portrayals of how most of us really live.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Styles for men and women are available -- all with Allbirds design philosophy that's clean, modern and perfectly simple -- lightweight, bouncy and wildly comfortable.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
On April 18, that reverence will look like music, laughter and a line of people waiting for something hot out of the fryer — a simple plate carrying stories from across the world, all landing in one place.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
According to a Chicago Blackhawks team source, those reports — that the PWHL would be coming to the Blackhawks’ facility — are not true.—
Hailey Salvian,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
In fairness to Brown, this is true.—
Brandy Jensen,
New Yorker,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Almost every hunt includes something the inexperienced would count a close call.—
Dr. C. E. Kuschel,
Outdoor Life,
9 Apr. 2026
-
In 2025, McLaren driver Lando Norris had a season that started very similar to Russell’s 2026, with a Melbourne victory in the class-leading car, only to be quickly overhauled by a more inexperienced teammate.—
Alex Kalinauckas,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ingenuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ingenuous. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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