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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 Trump isn’t naive and knows that Netanyahu has incentives to preserve electoral support by remaining a wartime leader. Faisal J. Abbas, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2025 Gabber’s got this naive brutality to it. Alma Rota, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025 Sure, delegate, trust the team, but don’t be naive. Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Oct. 2025 But to expect anything beyond that — something that seemed entirely reasonable just a day ago — now feels downright naive. Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for naive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naive
Adjective
  • De Silva, police noted, was an innocent bystander who was not involved in the quarrel and was not believed to have been the target.
    Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
  • So that seemingly innocent Machu Picchu stamp—one of the most popular souvenir stamps around—could be viewed not as a harmless keepsake but as an unauthorized alteration that might jeopardize your ability to travel.
    Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The new currency is content, education and genuine engagement.
    Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Employees should use those channels first and consider a public callout only as a genuine last resort.
    Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • That being said, some travel essentials stay packed and ready—the gear, gadgets, and go-tos that make every trip that much easier.
    Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 29 Oct. 2025
  • With Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy back, things have gotten a lot easier for Kelce.
    Mark Kern, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • But let’s face it, the Red Wings have looked a bit inexperienced at times so far, too.
    Max Bultman, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
  • The helmers cycle through a year’s worth of seasons for Zhenya and Anatolij Pilipenko, inexperienced farmers who envisioned a new life for themselves and their two young daughters.
    Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • When his father’s milestone birthday arrived, the teen saw an opportunity to be brutally honest.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Other marketing, the kind of stuff that people who would need to seek out (like, oh, big fans of Bruce) is more honest, like this featurette all about Cooper’s approach to this specific time in The Boss’ life and career.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Icardi describes her former boss as kind, professional and trusting.
    Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Cats are far less trusting than dogs and rarely fall for the pill-in-the-treat ploy.
    Joan Morris, Mercury News, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • While House Republicans can pass legislation with a simple majority vote, Senate Republicans cannot advance most matters without meeting a 60-vote threshold.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2025
  • But in stoppage time, Miami was gifted a third goal when Jordi Alba crossed from the left and keeper Willis, colliding with defender Walker Zimmerman, spilled the ball right to Messi, who had the simplest of tap-ins.
    The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In my experience, this is especially true in the lonely hours of the night while struggling with chronic pain.
    Joni Eareckson Tada, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
  • For most Galatasaray supporters, domestic titles were never the true measure of success; Europe was.
    The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Naive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/naive. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on naive

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