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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in naturalness
the quality or state of being simple and sincere
the innocence of the child's question touched everyone present
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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of innocence
Until Wednesday, Azevedo had steadfastly maintained his innocence in increasingly bizarre media interviews.
—
Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
His legal team maintains his innocence.
—Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 11 Feb. 2026
He has been held incommunicado since then, as his family insists on his innocence and appeals to the international community and even the Vatican for his release.
—Carmen Sesin, NBC news, 11 Feb. 2026
If it is believed that a person has engaged in criminal behavior, this should be handled in a court of law with the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for innocence
Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
His legal team maintains his innocence.
—Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 11 Feb. 2026
He has been held incommunicado since then, as his family insists on his innocence and appeals to the international community and even the Vatican for his release.
—Carmen Sesin, NBC news, 11 Feb. 2026
If it is believed that a person has engaged in criminal behavior, this should be handled in a court of law with the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for innocence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for innocence
Noun
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In 1995, Taschen published his first book, which made a stir with portraits of soft, indirect illumination, emphasizing naturalness.—
Steve Appleford,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
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The filmmakers on Saturday also discussed working with children on set, with both lauding young people’s naturalness and authenticity.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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This shocking ignorance and insensitivity by Ocasio-Cortez should rule her out of any potential presidential bid or other high office.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
14 Feb. 2026
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There are still many in this country who value truth, who believe that history should be preserved and not erased, who understand that constitutional rights should not be swept away to suit the whims of a megalomaniac, and who refuse to wallow in ignorance and hate.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But getting hung up on the purity of beginning from the beginning is more likely to be a stumbling block than a source of pleasure.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
11 Feb. 2026
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Before the war, Iran had been enriching uranium up to 60% purity, a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels.—
Farnoush Amiri,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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How Tide evo Works Tide evo was clearly developed with simplicity top of mind.—
Joseph Erbentraut,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Feb. 2026
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Blending simplicity and durability, additional elements include cobranded details and dual‑lace options, allowing for personalization.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Turner manages to put across this supreme shallowness with total sincerity.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 2026
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No one with sincerity agrees with a group on all things 100% of the time.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Innocence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/innocence. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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