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
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3
as in unaffected
free from any intent to deceive or impress others
an innocent offer to sing before the gathering
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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
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5
as in harmless
not causing or being capable of causing injury or hurt
good-natured teasing that is just innocent fun
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6
as in ignorant
not informed about or aware of something
a woman who seems entirely innocent of good manners and common courtesy
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as in angel
an innocent or gentle person
an innocent who is often puzzled by and prey to the evils of the world
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of innocent
Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
Campaign sponsors hoped that anyone unaware of her story — an innocent young woman killed by a man who’d bounced in and out of prison — might see her face, find the security video of her brutal death, and be moved.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
There's laws that protect victims, that protect the innocent.
—NBC news, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for innocent
Adjective
At the end of Ellroy’s novel, Dieterling is tracked down by LAPD lieutenant Ed Exley—the same cop who, earlier in the book, murdered three innocent Black suspects during a raid.
—Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
Campaign sponsors hoped that anyone unaware of her story — an innocent young woman killed by a man who’d bounced in and out of prison — might see her face, find the security video of her brutal death, and be moved.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
The J6ers were not insurrectionists, traitors, and miscreants but patriots, heroes, and innocents.
—Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
There's laws that protect victims, that protect the innocent.
—NBC news, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for innocent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for innocent
Adjective
-
Their relationship starts as pure rivalry, shifts into a friends-with-benefits arrangement and eventually evolves into a full romantic relationship across the six-episode first season.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Mar. 2026
-
But Honeywell is inching up, as people anticipate receiving shares of a pure-play aerospace company and an automation and security company.—
Kevin Stankiewicz,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
There’s no doubt that with EVs, drivers are unaffected by the volatile swing of global oil markets.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Garbage pickup will be unaffected on Easter Sunday, as there is regularly no pickup collection on Sundays.—
Isa Almeida,
Oklahoman,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
My call with her was my naïve attempt at just this.—
Elisa Wouk Almino
Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Those two youngsters happen to be a happily engaged, and happily naive, couple, and the series plays out exploring the dynamics between the two relationships, one young, loving and energetic, the other old, tired and toxic.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
For now, the evidence shows that kratom is an opioid with real risks – not a harmless supplement.—
Andrew Kolodny,
The Conversation,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Across social media, videos show pups reacting to everything from fake treats and disappearing acts to harmless tricks like surprising them on walks outside, leaving them confused, curious and hilariously offended.—
Kendall Malinchock,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Across Southern California, e-bike popularity has soared, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic — with a disportionate number of young riders ignorant or ignoring the rules of the road, authorities say, leading to crashes and in some cases fatalities.—
Nathaniel Percy,
Oc Register,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Having access to knowledge and being able to collectively reflect are rights too precious to surrender to those who prefer us ignorant.—
Megan Thiele Strong,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Take the time to find your incentive to push you along the journey that the angel number 000 is signaling.—
Olivia Munson,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The victim's family and friends showed up at court wearing t-shirts with DeFrances' picture on them wrapped in angel's wings.—
Erika Stanish,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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
-
Verbal commitments should lead to genuine action, even if we’re intimidated by what must be done.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The service Utterly Balinese and therefore utterly lovely—all smiles and genuine ‘how-has-your-day-beens’.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Innocent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/innocent. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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