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Synonym Chooser

How is the word naive different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of naive are artless, ingenuous, natural, and unsophisticated. While all these words mean "free from pretension or calculation," naive suggests lack of worldly wisdom often connoting credulousness and unchecked innocence.

politically naive

When can artless be used instead of naive?

The meanings of artless and naive largely overlap; however, artless suggests a naturalness resulting from unawareness of the effect one is producing on others.

artless charm

When is it sensible to use ingenuous instead of naive?

Although the words ingenuous and naive have much in common, ingenuous implies inability to disguise or conceal one's feelings or intentions.

the ingenuous enthusiasm of children

When would natural be a good substitute for naive?

The synonyms natural and naive are sometimes interchangeable, but natural implies lacking artificiality and self-consciousness and having a spontaneousness suggesting the natural rather than the man-made world.

her unaffected, natural manner

In what contexts can unsophisticated take the place of naive?

While in some cases nearly identical to naive, unsophisticated implies a lack of experience and training necessary for social ease and adroitness.

unsophisticated adolescents

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 naive And if anyone was naive enough to imagine the U.S.-led tournament in 2026 would be free of such political baggage, then surely the increasingly public proximity of the Trump-Infantino relationship has dispelled those illusions. Oliver Kay, New York Times, 20 June 2025 Biography Ellmann-style was left looking hopelessly naive in its effort to understand the work by understanding its writer’s life. Eric Bulson, The Atlantic, 16 June 2025 The tone of the show was celebratory but not naive. Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025 Moynihan’s defense was a simplified, even naive version of his own family story. Augustine Sedgewick, Time, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for naive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naive
Adjective
  • So far, the city's liability insurance carriers have agreed to pay nearly $27 million to settle four civil rights lawsuits alleging detectives — including some identified by multiple former officers as Wolverines — framed innocent people.
    Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 4 July 2025
  • That includes sparklers, which may look more innocent but can get up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
Adjective
  • Despite the lighthearted framing of the post, many comments conveyed genuine sadness or guilt—often about animals taken on without fully understanding the commitment involved.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025
  • What matters is whether genuine compatibility exists beneath the obsession.
    Emma Specter, Vogue, 5 July 2025
Adjective
  • Its attached solar panel charges all day, then automatically lights up the glass tube after hours for easier nighttime reading of the gauge.
    Molly Blanco, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 July 2025
  • Crist emphasized the company’s investment in both cutting-edge tech and easy to use user interfaces.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • Jamie Lee Curtis got honest about her cosmetic procedures in the hopes of dissuading women from making the same mistake.
    Maria Yagoda, People.com, 5 July 2025
  • The appraisal was not crude, but rather honest and profound.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 4 July 2025
Adjective
  • The simplest ideas in mathematics can also be the most perplexing.
    Leila Sloman, Wired News, 29 June 2025
  • Start your day like a pro with simple morning cleaning habits that keep your home feeling fresh, organized, and under control.
    Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • Staying true to her signature fusion of genres, Bonner also partnered with streetwear brand Y-3.
    Alice Pfeiffer, CNN Money, 1 July 2025
  • Just being true to ourselves and bringing that into the music.
    Michael Saponara, Billboard, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • Like an ’80s televangelist, Lindell is a pro at exploiting religion to bilk the gullible.
    Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 20 June 2025
  • Being personally very gullible and constantly putting myself in the place of the audience was the key for me in directing this series.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2025
Adjective
  • Sellers are unsophisticated and oftentimes are not natively digital, which adds to the challenge of discoverability for buyers Buyers and sellers take a long time to close deals thanks to lengthy clearing price negotiations, financing processes, transition planning, and more.
    Rocio Wu, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Thus even relatively unsophisticated cybercriminals can access the latest tools to commit their crimes.
    Steve Weisman, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Naive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/naive. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

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