variants
or naïve
1
as in innocent
lacking in worldly wisdom or informed judgment
a first-time buyer who was so naive that he believed the salesman's spiel and paid good money for the rusty and broken-down car
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unaffected
free from any intent to deceive or impress others
the young girl gave honest and naive answers to the social worker's probing questions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in susceptible
readily taken advantage of
we get piles of junk mail because you are naive enough to keep entering these dumb contests
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of naive
At a time of growing polarization, goodwill may seem outdated or naïve.
—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
The court’s abdication of its modern responsibility for supervising electoral democracy seems to rest on the naive belief that democracy will succeed in regulating itself.
—
Noah Feldman,
Mercury News,
9 June 2026
To claim, however, that Russian pressure automatically propels Armenian voters toward Europe would be naïve and analytically superficial.
—
Nathan Hodge,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
Erin Dubreuil leads the cast as Cady, credibly playing a naive teen, but with the vocal and dance chops of an experienced pro.
—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for naive
Mary Crossan,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
The court’s abdication of its modern responsibility for supervising electoral democracy seems to rest on the naive belief that democracy will succeed in regulating itself.
—
Noah Feldman,
Mercury News,
9 June 2026
To claim, however, that Russian pressure automatically propels Armenian voters toward Europe would be naïve and analytically superficial.
—
Nathan Hodge,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
Erin Dubreuil leads the cast as Cady, credibly playing a naive teen, but with the vocal and dance chops of an experienced pro.
—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for naive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naive
Adjective
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Authorities say a suspect who was eight months pregnant crashed her car into a Sturbridge, Massachusetts hotel early Thursday morning and then started shooting, critically injuring an innocent bystander at the hotel before turning the gun on herself.
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The deaths of innocent Americans, and misleading the public on the rationale for their deaths, played a role in her departure.
Adjective
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Solar energy density in orbit can reach six times that on Earth’s surface, unaffected by night cycles, weather, or atmospheric interference.
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Councilmember Kent Lee, who represents neighborhoods unaffected by the opportunity fund, suggested the city adjust the allocation formula to eliminate bank balances as a criterion.
Adjective
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Tomatoes are susceptible to numerous diseases and environmental challenges that can impact plant growth and fruit production.
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Wood’s career was derailed by injuries, leading to worries of hard throwers being susceptible to blowing out pitching arms.
Adjective
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The questions Campbell needs to answer are simple.
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Get inspired by a weekly roundup on living well, made simple.
Adjective
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The family of a 26-year-old man who was shot and killed in Fort Worth last week remembers his bright smile and genuine laugh.
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The film, based on Thomas Perry’s novel Strip, wears its influences — ranging from Elmore Leonard to Carl Hiaasen to Quentin Tarantino — heavily, without the genuine wit of many of its predecessors.
Adjective
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This morning favors gentle starts and better listening, while the afternoon asks us to slow replies, check assumptions, and make our tone easier to understand.
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If CosRx can convince people to willingly slather snail mucin on their faces, trusting the brand with hair care is a pretty easy next step.
Adjective
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At $18 or even $15 per hour, many companies don’t see value in hiring inexperienced teens who require extensive training to interact with customers, let alone achieve some measure of productivity.
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Lagway’s depature after 19 starts leaves the Gators to choose between two talented, yet inexperienced options with just one combined start — by Philo against Gardner-Webb in 2025.
Adjective
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An honest summary would still pass the buck to the voters on a grossly dishonest scheme, but at least the voters might recognize a description that doesn’t cajole, coax and mislead them.
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The partner who honors their own limits stays honest.
Cite this Entry
“Naive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/naive. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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