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
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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
As Belle, Kyra Belle Johnson — whose middle name suggests she was born to play the role — has an air of innocence and wonder without playing so young that wedding proposals to her don’t seem creepy.
—
Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 2026
So that’s not a great sign for Don’s innocence.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2026
However, one of Warren's wives continues to defend his innocence.
—Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
Heuermann, a 62-year-old architect, has maintained his innocence for years but was arrested in 2023 after DNA evidence from human hair found at the scene, as well as phone records and internet searches, led police to him.
—Britta Miller, The Washington Examiner, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for innocence
Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 2026
So that’s not a great sign for Don’s innocence.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2026
However, one of Warren's wives continues to defend his innocence.
—Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
Heuermann, a 62-year-old architect, has maintained his innocence for years but was arrested in 2023 after DNA evidence from human hair found at the scene, as well as phone records and internet searches, led police to him.
—Britta Miller, The Washington Examiner, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for innocence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for innocence
Noun
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The slightly distressed finish of brown sneakers adds naturalness and ease that pairs harmoniously with the low profile of baggy jeans.—
Alex Sales,
Glamour,
8 Mar. 2026
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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
Noun
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While some of the women who came here willingly embraced ISIS ideology and passed it on to their children, many others say they were trafficked or lured to the region through ignorance or under false pretenses.—
Jane Arraf,
NPR,
11 Apr. 2026
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Hence the social contract on which proto-citizens situated behind the veil of ignorance would agree, arranges social and economic inequalities in such a manner as to make the worst off as well off as possible; economic policies would benefit the well-being of the least advantaged.—
George G. Szpiro,
Big Think,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Our legislators need to get back to recognizing that they are not elected for their party affiliation or to meet the ideological purity tests of their donors, but rather to solve the problems of the people that reside in our great state.—
Jayden D'Onofrio,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Apr. 2026
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Tapping into the soft skills that for millennia have allowed women to profit outside the bounds of conventional economy, the tradwife offers a vision of purity to her online audience in exchange for engagement and direct or indirect income.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Their simplicity in dress masks their tremendous success.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
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On one hand, there’s a simplicity to the song, and yet there’s a lot of complex things going on behind it.—
Steve Appleford,
SPIN,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In an impactful Broadway debut, the Scream star finds the sweet spot between sincerity and satire, playing Rose as earnestly naive without losing the character's strength.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
13 Apr. 2026
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Try a small style change, because leading with sincerity draws the right people.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Innocence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/innocence. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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