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

The petition, a copy of which was obtained by PEOPLE, also lists examples of evidence not presented at trial that, per the attorney, could prove Mackenzie’s innocence. — Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026

Without a right to avoid self-incrimination, people could be put in the position of having to prove their own innocence rather than being shown as guilty. — ABC News, 29 July 2026

Decades later, the past resurfaces, forcing them to confront old wounds, guilt, and the possibility of revenge in a country which has lost its innocence. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 28 July 2026

Florida cements its place as the most active death-penalty state with the executions of an 80-year-old and a man who maintained his innocence. — Katie Mettler, Washington Post, 28 July 2026