simpleness

1 the quality or state of being simple and sincere the simpleness of the villagers was so disarming that she temporarily abandoned her natural cynicism Synonyms artlessness, greenness, guilelessness, ingenuousness, innocence, naiveness, naivety (also naïvety) [chiefly British], naturalness, simplemindedness, naïveté, simplicity, unsophistication, unworldliness, viridityRelated Words candor, frankness, genuineness, honesty, openness, sincerity, straightforwardness, unaffectedness, unpretentiousness; callowness, childishness, coltishness, inexperience, rawness; insularity, parochialism, provincialism; carelessness, heedlessness, thoughtlessness; ignorance, obliviousness, unawareness; credulity, credulousness, gullibility, impressionability; idealism, impracticality, optimismNear Antonyms affectedness, artificiality, pretentiousness; deviousness, dishonesty, insincerity; disbelief, doubtfulness, incredulity, suspiciousness; carefulness, caution, street smarts, wariness; pessimism, skepticism; maturityAntonyms artfulness, cynicism, knowingness, sophistication, worldliness

2 the quality or state of lacking intelligence or quickness of mind we must always remember that the often frustrating simpleness of the mentally challenged does not alter the fact that they deserve respect Synonyms boneheadedness, brainlessness, denseness, density, dim-wittedness, doltishness, dopiness, dorkiness, dullness (also dulness), dumbness, fatuity, foolishness, gormlessness [chiefly British], mindlessness, oafishness, obtuseness, senselessness, stupidity, slowness, stupidness, thickness, vacuity, weak-mindedness, witlessnessRelated Words feeblemindedness, simplemindedness; absurdity, asininity, balminess, craziness, daftness, dippiness, dottiness, fatuousness, folly, idiocy, inaneness, inanity, insanity, lunacy, madness, nincompoopery, nonsensicalness, nuttiness, preposterousness, silliness, simplicity, wackiness, zaniness; fallacy, irrationality, unreasonableness; mental deficiency, mental retardationNear Antonyms acumen, alertness, astuteness, discernment, insight, judgment (or judgement), perception, percipience, perspicacity; sagacity, sageness, sapience, wisdom, wit; logicality, logicalness, rationality, rationalness, reasonableness, soundness, validityAntonyms braininess, brightness, brilliance, cleverness, intelligence, keenness, quickness, quick-wittedness, sharpness, smartness

3 readiness to believe the claims of others without sufficient evidence there's a good-hearted simpleness about her that makes her easy prey for scams Synonyms credulousness, gullibility, naiveness, naïveté (also naivete or naiveté), credulityRelated Words artlessness, simplicity, unsophistication, unwariness, unworldliness; belief, credibility, faith, trustNear Antonyms sophistication, worldliness; distrust, misdoubt, mistrust, suspicion, suspiciousness, wariness; doubt, uncertaintyAntonyms incredulity, skepticism