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
  • Acted with breathtaking ensemble naturalness, the play seems lived in rather than performed.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The ensemble of actors is convincing in its naturalness, with the characterizations remaining consistently precise and ambivalent.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of naturalness
Noun
  • The key is simplicity and predictability, giving producers confidence that American locations can compete with foreign alternatives.
    — Sam Roseme, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Complexity can disguise poor thinking, while simplicity can expose it.
    — Ricardo Bellino, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of simplicity
Noun
  • That raw innocence would prove crucial to Zai’s character, who experiences a gamut of violations masked as privilege.
    — Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The Adelson family had long denied any involvement in Markel’s killing, and in August 2016, their lawyer released a statement maintaining their innocence.
    — Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of innocence
Noun
  • The idea that these two would have a five-minute-or-less breakup conversation, then plop down on the couch and happily embark on an acid trip together, strains credulity a little, even for this bizarre, codependent friend group.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of credulity
Noun
  • The 25-year-old California singer-songwriter staked out his turf by taking pride in the ordinariness of his hit, from the mild-mannered vocals to the drama-free sincerity of his romantic imagery.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Most scenes were filmed with four or five takes as the actors experimented with different tones, feelings, and levels of sincerity to give Meriwether options in the editing room.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 31 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 10 Sep. 2026.

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