1
as in pure
free from sin
an innocent baby
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in acquitted
free from guilt or blame
the robbery suspect was eventually found to be innocent
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unaffected
free from any intent to deceive or impress others
an innocent offer to sing before the gathering
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in naive
lacking in worldly wisdom or informed judgment
an innocent young woman who felt a little out of place among her more sophisticated roommates
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in harmless
not causing or being capable of causing injury or hurt
good-natured teasing that is just innocent fun
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in ignorant
not informed about or aware of something
a woman who seems entirely innocent of good manners and common courtesy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in angel
an innocent or gentle person
an innocent who is often puzzled by and prey to the evils of the world
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of innocent
Jordan Wright, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2025
In addition to the two people killed, two innocent people were injured.
—Greg Hanlon, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024
Al-Qaeda’s attack on Sept. 11, 2001, which murdered about 3,000 innocents of every race, background and socio-economic class, left him somewhere between agnostic and satisfied.
—Jeff Robbins, Boston Herald, 14 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for innocent
Adjective
While the prosecution has the burden to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, the defendant has the right to be presumed innocent and have their day in court.
—Jordan Wright, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2025
In addition to the two people killed, two innocent people were injured.
—Greg Hanlon, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
According to human rights organizations, most were denied due process, innocents including children were detained, and hundreds were tortured in jail and died.
—Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024
Al-Qaeda’s attack on Sept. 11, 2001, which murdered about 3,000 innocents of every race, background and socio-economic class, left him somewhere between agnostic and satisfied.
—Jeff Robbins, Boston Herald, 14 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for innocent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for innocent
Adjective
-
When a curious 6-year-old met a playful dolphin, their precious connection created pure magic.—
Ronnie Li,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Blackberry Smoke is just a kick-ass band that’s been doing it the right way, the honest way, the hard way, the pure way, for a very long time.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Although the London Marathon’s entry rules are currently unaffected, British conservative media and tabloid newspapers are already putting pressure on the event to change its policies.—
Abby Monteil,
Them.,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Will Brandy be stuck in that alt-reality forever or emerge unscathed and unaffected?—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
But that thinking is naive and sorely mistaken, says social scientist Michael Flood, who's at Queensland University of Technology in Australia.—
Michaeleen Doucleff,
NPR,
30 Apr. 2025
-
The Canadian election result cautions against the Fortress North America concept, at once so domineering and so naive.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The texters have multiple objectives by sending seemingly harmless missives to your phone.—
Kevin Williams,
CNBC,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Some plots involved the unruly but harmless Darling family, depicted as hillbillies who seemed alien to even the small-town residents of Mayberry.—
Alice George,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
This situation would be a comedy of errors if not for its ending in tragedy: Andy is ignorant of Sherry’s affections, Sherry has no notion of Crawford’s intentions, and Crawford could not care less about either of them.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Some sellers, who may only own a home for a few years, may be ignorant of its past.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The incubator has access to a variety of valuable entrepreneurial finance resources, including government grants, state funding programs, and angel investors.—
Jon Stojan,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
-
Pieces on view included a curving white bouquet beside a marble angel sculpture, a floral tower next to a vintage evening gown, and a colorful arrangement inside a red shoe mirroring a painting of a shoe shiner.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
And how many guiltless prisoners there are here!—
Alexei Navalny,
The New Yorker,
11 Oct. 2024
-
Many fans found its generally joyous treatment of Miranda’s guiltless affair with Che, a nonbinary comedian, in the first season off-putting.—
Lili Loofbourow,
Washington Post,
21 June 2023
Adjective
-
Here's what to know about haints, including a compilation of viewers' genuine reactions to Coogler's subtle reference.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
-
That genuine bond off-screen has helped bring the series to life in a way that connects with viewers.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
24 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Innocent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/innocent. Accessed 8 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share