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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 How did an obscure, scientifically naive mining society discover the wheel, when highly advanced civilizations, such as the ancient Egyptians, did not? Kai James, The Conversation, 11 June 2025 Such hopes can seem strident or naive in the world where the majority of us live, but Laxe’s true achievement in this film is magicking a scenario where their realization isn’t just possible, but necessary. David Katz, IndieWire, 16 May 2025 Even a naive analysis, one that buys into some very obvious Republican budget tricks, finds that this bill cuts taxes and raises spending by $4 trillion over 10 years — but only pays for about $1.7 trillion of that. Ezra Klein, Mercury News, 28 May 2025 In the film's early scenes, Cruise displays a naive, unwavering patriotism that seamlessly meshed with the actor's military heroics in Top Gun three years earlier — which makes Kovic's stark transition to impassioned anti-war advocacy all the more surprising in the runtime's second half. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 24 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for naive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naive
Adjective
  • On July 8, U.S. soldiers escorting a train fired at crowds in Hammond, killing an innocent bystander.
    Robert Loerzel, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025
  • And nothing delights my kids more than to launch a surprise water war on innocent parents, sitting in chairs across the lawn while trying to enjoy a beer and a chat with other adults.
    Parker Hall, Wired News, 21 June 2025
Adjective
  • Coach Wall was a remarkable individual whose kindness and genuine spirit touched all who knew him.
    Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 23 June 2025
  • Today's audiences—both Hispanic and non-Hispanic—are savvy, diverse, and crave genuine representation and storytelling.
    Isaac Mizrahi, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • But Republicans who have majority control of the House and Senate are finding that their push to move fast and change things — namely cuts to federal government programs including Medicaid and SNAP food stamps used by millions of Americans — is easier said than done.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 25 June 2025
  • Completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869 made immigration into California and shipping produce out of the state much easier.
    Dan Walters, Mercury News, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • Ananda Lewis’ voice cut through silence like light through mist—bold, unwavering, and luminously honest.
    Essence, Essence, 23 June 2025
  • What is your secret to remaining an innovator in your field? To be honest, I get inspired.
    Nigel Smith, People.com, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • The simplest ideas in mathematics can also be the most perplexing.
    Leila Sloman, Wired News, 29 June 2025
  • This simple, clear shift in communication started to highlight the reality of who was contributing what.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • Beyond all of the twists and many, many, many turns that kept viewers tuned in every Tuesday night, the core of the show was about true female friendship and the loyalty that comes with that, no matter what.
    Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2025
  • Natural Rugs Not all natural fibers belong in nature, and that is especially true of popular rug materials like jute and sisal.
    Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • Today’s Wordle Etymology The word patsy apparently comes from the Italian name Patsy, short for Pasquale, which was used in vaudeville productions and early 20th-century slang to refer to a gullible or easily deceived individual.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
Adjective
  • Thus even relatively unsophisticated cybercriminals can access the latest tools to commit their crimes.
    Steve Weisman, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
  • During arguments on Wednesday, Megan Savard — attorney for Carter Hart — said that Howden was an unsophisticated, inarticulate witness who didn’t even dress properly for court.
    Dan Robson, New York Times, 22 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Naive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/naive. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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