Synonyms of innocence

innocence

noun

ˈi-nə-sən(t)s 

1

as in innocency

the quality or state of being free from guilt or blame

the accused embezzler eventually proved her innocence and was released

Synonyms & Similar Words

• innocency
• purity
• guiltlessness
• blamelessness
• integrity
• faultlessness
• impeccability
• goodness
• honesty
• irreproachability
• morality
• incorruptibility
• virtuousness
• virtue
• irreproachableness
• righteousness
• decency
• uprightness
• harmlessness
• sinlessness
• chastity
• law-abidingness
• inoffensiveness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• guilt
• culpability
• responsibility
• blameworthiness
• guiltiness
• fault
• evil
• blame
• criminality
• corruption
• wickedness
• immorality
• sinfulness
• depravity
• harmfulness
• offensiveness
• reprehensibleness

2

as in naturalness

the quality or state of being simple and sincere

the innocence of the child's question touched everyone present

Synonyms & Similar Words

• naturalness
• simplicity
• sincerity
• naïveté
• ingenuousness
• guilelessness
• naivety
• ignorance
• artlessness
• optimism
• greenness
• unworldliness
• simpleness
• honesty
• idealism
• naiveness
• simplemindedness
• genuineness
• frankness
• unsophistication
• openness
• inexperience
• viridity
• straightforwardness
• childishness
• candor
• unpretentiousness
• carelessness
• rawness
• insularity
• unawareness
• heedlessness
• parochialism
• gullibility
• credulity
• thoughtlessness
• callowness
• impressionability
• obliviousness
• provincialism
• unaffectedness
• impracticality
• credulousness
• coltishness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cynicism
• sophistication
• worldliness
• artificiality
• artfulness
• dishonesty
• insincerity
• disbelief
• pretentiousness
• incredulity
• knowingness
• deviousness
• suspiciousness
• skepticism
• maturity
• wariness
• pessimism
• caution
• carefulness
• affectedness
• street smarts
• doubtfulness

3

as in ignorance

the state of being unaware or uninformed

in my innocence I just assumed that quoted rate was for a week's stay and not for a single night at the health spa

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ignorance
• unawareness
• unfamiliarity
• naïveté
• cluelessness
• obliviousness
• nescience
• benightedness
• inexperience
• greenness
• incognizance
• callowness
• rawness
• unsophistication
• simpleness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• awareness
• familiarity
• acquaintance
• experience
• cognizance
• sophistication
• know-how

4

as in purity

the quality or state of being morally pure

in Melville's novel, the sailor Billy Budd serves as a symbol of absolute innocence

Synonyms & Similar Words

• purity
• goodness
• virtue
• modesty
• chastity
• morality
• chasteness
• immaculacy
• righteousness
• virtuousness
• rectitude
• decorum
• decency
• probity
• propriety
• seemliness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• impurity
• evil
• unchastity
• wickedness
• sinfulness
• badness
• immodesty
• unrighteousness
• vulgarity
• unchasteness
• indecency
• impropriety

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of innocence

The pitchers may ultimately bring conflicting defenses to the courtroom, as Ortiz’s camp has suggested its best path to proving Ortiz’s innocence may be to assert Clase’s guilt. —Zack Meisel, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026

There’s an innocence to them, as well as vulnerability, and shame. —Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2026

Turning to jurors during closing arguments, defense attorney Christian Maroni proclaimed Jones’ innocence. —Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026

While Buckley's Bride finds new agency on their road trip, Bale’s Frank is a complementary partner-in-crime, exuding tough-guy swagger but also man-child innocence as a vulnerable brute with a poet’s soul. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026