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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 Caton stars in the thriller as Sammy, also known as Preacher Boy—a naive yet determined musician who hopes to explore his talents outside of his father’s church. Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 18 Apr. 2025 But that thinking is naive and sorely mistaken, says social scientist Michael Flood, who's at Queensland University of Technology in Australia. Michaeleen Doucleff, NPR, 30 Apr. 2025 The Canadian election result cautions against the Fortress North America concept, at once so domineering and so naive. David Frum, The Atlantic, 29 Apr. 2025 But as stated, not every relationship that has an age difference regarding an older man and a younger woman involves a dirty old fart looking to wrangle a naive young woman. Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 25 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for naive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naive
Adjective
  • These rapid deportations mean some innocent people are being denied the chance to clear their name in a U.S. courtroom.
    Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 19 May 2025
  • Seeing innocent people arrested for exercising their civil rights, sparked his desire to pursue a career in law.
    J.M. Banks, Kansas City Star, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • Section meetings are open to members, guests and anyone with a genuine interest in UFOs/UAPs.
    Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 18 May 2025
  • For all the offseason acquisitions meant to bolster the rotation, starting pitching has become a genuine concern for Los Angeles.
    Sam Blum, New York Times, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • The buttons are easy to press, and the sound quality is good.
    Chaunie Brusie, Parents, 20 May 2025
  • With summer approaching, the Milky Way becomes easier to see, but spotting it won't be as simple as looking up at the sky.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • Comforting touch should be honest and clear – not ambiguous, not tentative and never assumed.
    Brian N. Chin, The Conversation, 16 May 2025
  • Log in Real news can be honest, hopeful, credible, constructive.
    Taylor Luck, Christian Science Monitor, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • While rectal cancers can be detected with a simple MRI scan, other cancer types are more difficult.
    Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 12 May 2025
  • Style them with a simple tank for a casual day out, or add a blazer and ballet flats for a more polished airport look.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • The coloration of light in this image does not depict a true optical rainbow as would be seen by the naked eye, but rather a colored representation of different wavelengths of light that highlight the instrument's capability to analyze various components of the solar atmosphere.
    Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 15 May 2025
  • Dylan’s life is full of true — meaning real — contradictions.
    Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • The results were hilarious, but Gould also won hearts as the affable (if a bit gullible) victim of the ruse.
    EW Staff, EW.com, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Chamberlain was gullible and naïve, and Chamberlain’s appeasement to Hitler is considered one of the biggest betrayals in modern history.
    Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Kate Rockwell is sweet and wide-eyed as the kind but unsophisticated Jane.
    Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025
  • The group writes its malware in relatively unsophisticated scripting languages like VBScript and Powershell rather than the C++ used by savvier hackers.
    Andy Greenberg, Wired News, 14 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Naive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/naive. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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