1
as in sincerely
without any attempt to impress by deception or exaggeration
"You look nice," she commented innocently
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in chastely
with purity of thought and deed
very young children approach the world so innocently
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of innocently
His friend had innocently landed on that scene.
—
Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2025
In a thriller, the suspense is built around a challenge posed to the protagonist — the last big score before retiring, being innocently accused of a crime or accidentally getting involved in something dangerous and deadly.
—Anders De La Motte, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
That play started innocently enough.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
The viral clip begins with the wife innocently posing for a photo at the airport near a large window overlooking a plane.
—Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
This game started innocently with a scoreless first period.
—Kevin J. Farmer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
While the wife’s new friendship may have started innocently, the man felt compelled to put his family’s comfort above politeness.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Now, business leaders, workers and civilians alike have all become apathetic toward their own safety, innocently forgetting that there are measures keeping them protected every single day.
—Jim Pauley, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2025
In a thriller, the suspense is built around a challenge posed to the protagonist — the last big score before retiring, being innocently accused of a crime or accidentally getting involved in something dangerous and deadly.
—Anders De La Motte, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
That play started innocently enough.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
The viral clip begins with the wife innocently posing for a photo at the airport near a large window overlooking a plane.
—Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
This game started innocently with a scoreless first period.
—Kevin J. Farmer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
While the wife’s new friendship may have started innocently, the man felt compelled to put his family’s comfort above politeness.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Now, business leaders, workers and civilians alike have all become apathetic toward their own safety, innocently forgetting that there are measures keeping them protected every single day.
—Jim Pauley, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for innocently
Adverb
-
And then there’s Hanse, who sincerely assumed he was brought on to be the preserver of tradition.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
-
It certainly can be deployed sincerely, yet it’s almost always accompanied by a good-natured, perhaps slightly exasperated, shake of the head.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
3 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
In late October, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson posted a YouTube interview with Nick Fuentes, a popular white-nationalist and openly antisemitic pundit.—
Eli Thompson,
Rolling Stone,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Minnesota coach Chris Finch senses a growing interest in the tournament for players across the league, noting guys talk openly about it.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
8 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
The United States Supreme Court this week is considering the crucial constitutional argument of whether the president has the power to levy tariffs on foreign goods, or whether any such taxes on American consumers and businesses are purely in the purview of the Congress.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Here, however, Makowsky examines a purely ignoble figure who feels entitled without accomplishing a thing.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
6 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
The reaction to her performance from commentators online ranged from bemusement to ridicule, with some observers stating that her opportunity would have come at the expense of a genuinely professional player.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
-
All are lightweight, smell great, and genuinely help rehydrate the scalp, with recommendations informed by expert input and months of testing.—
Iman Balagam,
Vogue,
8 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
This timing is meant to ensure the pill absorbs properly, McCoy explained.—
Jenna Anderson,
Health,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Keep in mind that firm menstrual cups are more likely to open properly after being inserted.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
To believe otherwise is to divert one’s gaze, naively, hoping others will manage the problem, keeping it from your doorstep — in defiance of the medicine and simple math.—
Eric Snoey,
Mercury News,
21 Oct. 2025
-
When the frame shifts up and over the reservoir’s edge, Copco 1 appears as a concrete colossus, standing sentry over the river naively burbling below.—
Anne Reeve,
Artforum,
1 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Richardson-Sellers stars as ambitious and morally ambiguous Talamasca agent Olive, a master of disguise and handler to new recruit Guy (Nicholas Denton).—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Nov. 2025
-
After recruiting Kevin Lomax (Keanu Reeves), a highly successful and morally flexible Florida lawyer with a 100 percent success rate, Milton offers him temptation after temptation — then sits back and lets the process play out, only rarely getting his hands dirty himself.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
The glorious sweep of progress toward Roman civilization and prosperity means the end of an idyllic, virtuously rustic Golden Age.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Innocently.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/innocently. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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