variants
also naivete
or naiveté
1
as in innocence
the quality or state of being simple and sincere
her naïveté led her to leave her new car unlocked while she shopped at the mall
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gullibility
readiness to believe the claims of others without sufficient evidence
though he was streetwise, the investigative reporter regularly assumed an air of naïveté when he was interviewing confidence men, charlatans, counterfeiters, and other assorted swindlers of the general public
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of naïveté
This is the result of naivete: Who would want to hurt little old us?
—
Stephen Marche, The Atlantic, 1 July 2025
The secret is that Spike’s know-nothing naivete encourages us to see the world through the eyes of someone who’s new to every part of it.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 18 June 2025
Is there intimidation, naivete, fear of being alone?
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 24 Apr. 2025
On the contrary, the narrative voice mixes naivete and disbelief.
—Bartolomeo Sala, The Dial, 27 Mar. 2025
One character starts with hope and naivete, and the other with the wisdom that comes from tough, life-altering experiences.
—Nick Jonas, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
Thus begins an addictive of melding personal infatuation with messy dynamics, as spirits of domination and naivete co-mingle.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 6 Mar. 2025
There’s a lot of naivete, certainly, in certain forms of popular music.
—Katherine Turman, SPIN, 3 Feb. 2025
Our heroes’ naivete is catching, apparently.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 5 Jan. 2025
Stephen Marche, The Atlantic, 1 July 2025
The secret is that Spike’s know-nothing naivete encourages us to see the world through the eyes of someone who’s new to every part of it.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 18 June 2025
Is there intimidation, naivete, fear of being alone?
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 24 Apr. 2025
On the contrary, the narrative voice mixes naivete and disbelief.
—Bartolomeo Sala, The Dial, 27 Mar. 2025
One character starts with hope and naivete, and the other with the wisdom that comes from tough, life-altering experiences.
—Nick Jonas, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
Thus begins an addictive of melding personal infatuation with messy dynamics, as spirits of domination and naivete co-mingle.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 6 Mar. 2025
There’s a lot of naivete, certainly, in certain forms of popular music.
—Katherine Turman, SPIN, 3 Feb. 2025
Our heroes’ naivete is catching, apparently.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 5 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naïveté
Noun
-
In response to the findings, Wallace issued a statement expressing regret while maintaining his innocence on the most serious allegations.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
14 July 2025
-
After maintaining his innocence for more than two years, on July 2, Kohberger admitted to the quadruple killings in court and pleaded guilty to all counts.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Traditional funds benefit from diversification and operational simplicity, while merchant banking funds can potentially drive better outcomes through hands-on involvement.—
Josipa Majic Predin,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
-
He was known for his elegant simplicity in songwriting and his love for farming and hunting.—
Marcus K. Dowling,
The Tennessean,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
Their credibility, however, depends on the transparency of audits and asset backing.—
Geoff Ira,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
The fallout has deepened divisions within conservative ranks, as prominent figures debate the credibility of the government's official narrative and the conduct of officials like Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
Further demonstrating the ignorance of policy makers and the effects of their actions on businesses.—
Phil Kafarakis,
Forbes.com,
17 July 2025
-
But that's absolutely no excuse, because intent doesn't excuse ignorance.—
Brenton Blanchet,
People.com,
13 July 2025
Noun
-
Yet worse than credulity — or perhaps just its flip side — is cynicism.—
David Nurenberg,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Despite a rocky use of the miscommunication trope the stretches credulity slightly, the novel celebrates love stories and the possibility of magic made real.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The novel explores the line between age and consent, naivety and vulnerability and the space between.—
Hattie Williams
July 14,
Literary Hub,
14 July 2025
-
Her vulnerable performance evokes Bridget’s dizziness and intelligence, and the commingling of naivety and jadedness that made Pretty Woman’s Vivian appealing.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
But in an exchange before reporters before the dinner got underway, both leaders expressed optimism that their success in Iran would mark a new era in the Middle East.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
8 July 2025
-
If the Western frontier defined American optimism in the 19th century, the suburban frontier defined it in the 20th.—
Marina Bolotnikova,
Vox,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Naïveté.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/na%C3%AFvet%C3%A9. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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