naiveness

noun

Definition of naivenessnext
1
as in naïveté
readiness to believe the claims of others without sufficient evidence I can't believe the naiveness of people who don't realize there's always some catch to so-called free offers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in naturalness
the quality or state of being simple and sincere the innate naiveness of young children is one of their most endearing qualities

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for naiveness
  1. gullibility
  2. naturalness
  3. simplicity
  4. innocence
  5. credulity
  6. sincerity
  7. simpleness
  8. ingenuousness
Noun
  • Members must accommodate themselves to its fictions, with varying mixtures of gullibility and cynicism; followers shown proof that the leader has lied may admire him all the more for his tactical cleverness.
    — David Denby, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Mason highlights – with levity and humor – how erroneous ideas, gullibility, and blinders can lead even people who should know better down rabbit holes.
    — Monitor reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 23 July 2026
Definition of gullibility
Noun
  • Inside the wilderness, a big part of it is to return naturalness, right?
    — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 29 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of naturalness
Noun
  • The simplicity of the fire and forget mechanism allows its operators to launch large drone swarms to carry out coordinated attacks.
    — Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Protect Responsive Performance Responsive performance is a usability principle teams should not sacrifice for visual simplicity.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of simplicity
Noun
  • The vibe is very Woodstock-era, got-to-get-back-to-the-garden innocence, a sentiment that has the filmmaker, now in his mid-seventies, nodding in agreement.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 15 Aug. 2026
  • According to Day, Manson maintained his innocence in the 1969 murders of nine individuals up until his death.
    — Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of innocence
Noun
  • The movie features several spectacular set pieces, some of which defy gravity and credulity, but at its heart, The Fugitive is a classically satisfying mystery in the Agatha Christie tradition.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Because these stories have to dramatize a search for normalcy, its leads tend to be awkward in ways that strain credulity.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026
Definition of credulity
Noun
  • Toeing the line between sincerity and tongue-in-cheek humor, Edelman claims to have developed an obsession with contemporary Christian music after Smith invited him to a concert.
    — Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • His sincerity, the fearlessness of trying—very hard and very publicly—is success in itself.
    — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of sincerity
Noun
  • The simpleness of the look really allowed the Crocs to stand out and make an impression.
    — Tara Larson, Footwear News, 14 Nov. 2025
Definition of simpleness
Noun
  • What was once a poignant effort to extend a state of ingenuousness is now tainted from the start.
    — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
Definition of ingenuousness
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.

Browse Nearby Words

naively
naiveness
naïveté
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Cite this Entry

“Naiveness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/naiveness. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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