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

Above all, McConaughey was attracted to the story’s innocence. — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026

When drug traffickers allegedly subsidize TikTok dances, a victim’s innocence can be almost impossible to discern. — Kevin Sieff, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026

Whatever cloud of innocence has hung over Jo’s life until this point is shattered, both parents struggling how to navigate the horrible experience from an emotional as well as a purely bureaucratic perspective. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026

Eventually in 2015, Knox and Sollecito were acquitted by Italy's highest court after maintaining their innocence and several appeals. — Usa Today, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026