naivety

noun

nä-ˈē-və-tē How to pronounce naivety (audio)
variants also naïvety
Definition of naivetynext
chiefly British
as in innocence
the quality or state of being simple and sincere the contention that the royal family took advantage of the young Diana's naivety

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 naivety The inherent naivety of this setup was exposed before Memorial Day. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 21 May 2026 Elsewhere on that flank, Pedro Lima and Rodrigo Gomes are talented players who, even allowing for the naivety of youth that sometimes undermines their efforts, Wolves are likely to want to keep for next season in the Championship. — Steve Madeley, New York Times, 12 May 2026 The reality of their relationship wasn't lost on the singer, despite her naivety about their ability to last. — Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Mar. 2026 Whatever your opinion, Theroux has an impressive back catalogue of documentaries worth watching, each one tackling a thorny topic with his signature faux naivety and awkward charm. — Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for naivety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naivety
  1. innocence
  2. naturalness
  3. simplicity
  4. sincerity
  5. ignorance
Noun
  • The brothers have repeatedly pleaded their innocence in the litany of charges against them.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 19 July 2026
  • The jury’s guilt-innocence verdict appears to be an assessment that Royal intentionally or knowingly caused Watkins’ death, but not during a robbery.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 July 2026
Definition of innocence
Noun
  • By the middle of the nineteenth century, the seriousness and stability of their suits suggested a new naturalness for their authority that came to seem both right and inevitable.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 June 2026
  • As a national icon, the Natural Bridge served as a quiet, Emersonian rebuke to Europe’s militaristic triumphal arches, reinforcing the naturalness of American democracy.
    — Sebastian Smee, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Definition of naturalness
Noun
  • Unlike trends that involve shoving one pastry into another, salt bread’s virality is rooted in simplicity, capturing attention with little other than butter and a bit of salt.
    — Candy Hom, AJC.com, 19 July 2026
  • Platformization and simplicity drive cybersecurity buyers, and organizations with an appetite for new companies are often looking to complete their platform capabilities.
    — Rohit Dhamankar, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of simplicity
Noun
  • In a testament to that sincerity, Neil Young had the Stop Shopping Choir open for him on his 2024 tour.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
  • That same blurring of artifice and sincerity informs their debut full-length, TOY COLLAGES.
    — Cassidy Sollazzo, Pitchfork, 13 July 2026
Definition of sincerity
Noun
  • His words are a sign of ignorance of the truth or denial of it.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 17 July 2026
  • For Hevalow, that perspective wasn’t born out of ignorance of the dangers — it was reinforced by surviving them.
    — Latif Love July 9, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026
Definition of ignorance

Browse Nearby Words

naïveté
naivety
naked
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Naivety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/naivety. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on naivety

Nglish: Translation of naivety for Spanish Speakers

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