naïf 1 of 2

adjective

variants or naif
Definition of naïfnext
as in naive
lacking in worldly wisdom or informed judgment the senator, newly elected and still naïf, will learn soon enough how Washington really works

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

naïf

2 of 2

noun

variants or naif
as in virgin

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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 naïf
Adjective
Colorful naif pictures by Katie Hickey and text arranged in substantial chunks make this perfect for browsing by young readers with an interest in engineering or architecture. — Meghan Cox Gurdon, WSJ, 12 Aug. 2022
Noun
In his directorial debut, Early, who also wrote the film, plays Maddie, a blonde naif who skyrockets to viral fame for recipes created in the test kitchen of GourMaybe, a fictional but winkingly all-too-familiar online content hub. — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 June 2026 There is a risk of turning Artie into a naif, but in her careful, close observations, his depths become increasingly legible. — John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for naïf
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naïf
  1. naive
  2. virgin
  3. green
  4. innocent
  5. inexperienced
  6. greenhorn
  7. fledgling
  8. ingenue
Adjective
  • Nolan reinvents him as a naive young soldier left outside the horse to sell Odysseus’ deception.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
  • As a woman of a certain age, no one had hit me with the naïve stick.
    — Rene Denfeld, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026
Definition of naive
Noun
  • Diana, a virgin born into an aristocratic family, was seen as an ideal match for the future king.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 17 July 2026
  • In another, called Leucippe and Clitophon, Leucippe is saved from being sacrificed as a virgin by the timely appearance of an actor who uses theatre tricks used to perform deaths on stage to fake her death and spirit her away.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 June 2026
Definition of virgin
Adjective
  • Old and new stone houses dotted a hillside green with olive and citrus trees.
    — Jane Arraf, NPR, 26 July 2026
  • Instead, the battle for the other three jerseys — polka dot, white, and green — has animated this race, with the trio finally and only settled on stage 20.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 26 July 2026
Definition of green
Noun
  • Some innocents are coerced into false confessions, like what happened to the Central Park Five.
    — Rene Denfeld, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026
  • Over 5,000 deaths, most of them for innocents not driving trucks, in 2023 alone.
    — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of innocent
Adjective
  • The Dolphins entered camp with a young and relatively inexperienced group of edge rushers, placing the Michigan product in the unusual position of being asked to help lead others while still fighting to reestablish himself.
    — Tyler M. Carmona July 30, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
  • Others point out working with an inexperienced pitching coach, working behind a bad defense and working without a contract for next season as pieces to the puzzle.
    — Will Sammon, New York Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of inexperienced
Noun
  • Flecks of mica and pyrite and who knows what, but only fools and greenhorns mistake it for gold.
    — John Archibald, Southern Living, 11 June 2026
  • The indestructible Gill, still strolling the fairways of the magazine, was more than welcoming to a greenhorn.
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
Definition of greenhorn
Noun
  • The fledgling storm was affected by shearing winds that forecasters expected to prevent it from building into the kind of hurricane that can sometimes quickly develop in the Gulf just offshore.
    — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 24 July 2026
  • The episode’s break from format puts the audience literally inside Lestat’s head as he’s confronted by his makers and his fledglings, with exception to Claudia.
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of fledgling
Noun
  • Actresses who are no longer ingenues make striking appearances, not only in dramas, but also at formal events.
    — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 6 July 2026
  • Our best ingenues would queue to star as Dora and Nora.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 10 June 2026
Definition of ingenue

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Cite this Entry

“Naïf.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/na%C3%AFf. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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