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

Most of Simpson’s children have remained extremely private in the years since their father’s acquittal and imprisonment, though his eldest daughter, Arnelle, has publicly defended him and expressed her belief in his innocence. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Nov. 2026

Boyd, who maintained his innocence to the end, thrashed and convulsed for 40 minutes after prison officials attached a gas mask to his face, according to Hood and journalist Lee Hedgepeth, who witnessed Boyd’s execution. — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 2 Nov. 2026

For Cattani, childhood offered a way into that subject precisely because of the innocence with which Filo encounters the world. — Essie Assibu, Variety, 1 Nov. 2026

He was acquitted in the state Senate and has maintained his innocence. — Matthew Choi, Washington Post, 1 Nov. 2026