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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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
The photo pushes David—who has maintained his innocence all along—to escape from prison with the help of Philip Mackenzie (Peter Outerbridge), the prison warden and a longtime friend of his father who believes him, and Mackenzie’s son Adam (Jonathan Tucker), a police sargeant.
—
Isadora Wandermurem,
Time,
18 June 2026
Jessie asks, with the innocence of someone first unboxed by a boomer.
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Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Respecting the presumption of innocence is a fundamental value at Villarreal.
—
Guillermo Rai,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
The younger Andic has denied wrongdoing, and the family has maintained his innocence.
—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for innocence
Isadora Wandermurem,
Time,
18 June 2026
Jessie asks, with the innocence of someone first unboxed by a boomer.
—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Respecting the presumption of innocence is a fundamental value at Villarreal.
—
Guillermo Rai,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
The younger Andic has denied wrongdoing, and the family has maintained his innocence.
—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for innocence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for innocence
Noun
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The report concluded that gummies face stability challenges and that powders remain the more reliable format for hitting a clinical dose, with strong purity and low degradation across the brands tested.
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Due to Chantal’s philosophy of minimal intervention and restrained oak aging, the purity of the fruit, complex savory notes derived from the fractured sandstone soils, and a subtle hint of salinity ran through all of the wines.
Noun
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As a national icon, the Natural Bridge served as a quiet, Emersonian rebuke to Europe’s militaristic triumphal arches, reinforcing the naturalness of American democracy.
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That ease and naturalness are paramount to Copeland.
Noun
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Keeping Americans in the darkness about the parts of our history that include systemic racism not only perpetuates ignorance, but is a moral failure.
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In a world frequently divided by ignorance, bias, violence, and fear, Satrapi offered the possibility of understanding, resilience, and grace.
Noun
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Light and Breezy One of the many virtues of the ’60s shift is its simplicity.
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The collection expressed an idea of contemporary simplicity, built through precise proportions, evolved materials and a new visual lightness.
Noun
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When an audience member posed a hypothetical choice between a flawed but distinctive film and a polished but unremarkable one, Leung said either would do, arguing that cinema’s goal was sincerity, in performance or in a director’s expression, rather than polish.
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Just when there are emotional moments of sincerity about healthcare denials causing bankruptcy and even death, the tone shifts with a joke about fan girls sending Mangione their underwear.
Cite this Entry
“Innocence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/innocence. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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