NAIVETE Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

naïveté

noun

nä-ˌēv-ˈtā

variants also naivete or naiveté

Definition of naïveté

as in innocence

the quality or state of being simple and sincere her naïveté led her to leave her new car unlocked while she shopped at the mall

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in gullibility

readiness to believe the claims of others without sufficient evidence though he was streetwise, the investigative reporter regularly assumed an air of naïveté when he was interviewing confidence men, charlatans, counterfeiters, and other assorted swindlers of the general public

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 naïveté Demie sees her storyline as one of naivete. — Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 31 May 2026 God protect me from my own lack of understanding and naivete. — Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 27 May 2026 On their first two trips to the property, the enormity of the task at hand—and their utter naiveté in taking it on—sank in. — Ingrid Abramovitch, Architectural Digest, 22 May 2026 But that optimism now veers into naivete. — Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 2 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for naïveté

Recent Examples of Synonyms for naïveté

Noun

Statham plays a former Marine who has to prove his innocence after he’s framed for murdering his billionaire boss.

— Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 23 Aug. 2026
For her, that’s enough to fully confront Pastor Nelson after trying to get through to Guthrie about Manny’s innocence doesn’t work.

— Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of innocence

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

Warchus adds that the production’s essential character, built on simplicity rather than spectacle, will not change with the move.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026
The restaurant has survived mostly by word-of-mouth, Quintana said, quite a feat in today’s restaurant landscape, and its simplicity is a stand-out feature among Kansas Citians.

— Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of simplicity

Noun

It was built across the decade that followed in journals, boardrooms and the offices of clinicians who staked their credibility on a better approach.

— Erez Meltzer, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Plagiarism becomes political Today, accusations of plagiarism have become a potent way to undermine someone’s credibility.

— Roger J. Kreuz, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of credibility

Noun

Just as Fisher was able to glean something new about David Beckham through his ignorance of the England star’s football career, Macdonald got under Guardiola’s skin by using his disinterest in the sport as a superpower.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026
Officials say ignorance leads to hate crimes and a misunderstanding of Islam persists.

— Carolyn Gusoff, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of ignorance

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

The age of the activists has drawn comments, even from government officials, that youth equates to naivety and ignorance.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
In 2009, five members of Young The Giant named their band in honor of their own youth, naivety and potential overconfidence.

— Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026

Definition of naivety

Browse Nearby Words

naiveness

naïveté

naivety

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Style

“Naïveté.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/na%C3%AFvet%C3%A9. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of naïveté

noun

Example Sentences

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