Synonym Chooser

How is the word unsophisticated different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of unsophisticated are artless, ingenuous, naive, and natural. While all these words mean "free from pretension or calculation," unsophisticated implies a lack of experience and training necessary for social ease and adroitness.

unsophisticated adolescents

Where would artless be a reasonable alternative to unsophisticated?

While in some cases nearly identical to unsophisticated, artless suggests a naturalness resulting from unawareness of the effect one is producing on others.

artless charm

When would ingenuous be a good substitute for unsophisticated?

The meanings of ingenuous and unsophisticated largely overlap; however, ingenuous implies inability to disguise or conceal one's feelings or intentions.

the ingenuous enthusiasm of children

When is naive a more appropriate choice than unsophisticated?

The words naive and unsophisticated can be used in similar contexts, but naive suggests lack of worldly wisdom often connoting credulousness and unchecked innocence.

politically naive

When might natural be a better fit than unsophisticated?

While the synonyms natural and unsophisticated are close in meaning, natural implies lacking artificiality and self-consciousness and having a spontaneousness suggesting the natural rather than the man-made world.

her unaffected, natural manner

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 unsophisticated Their lives are disrupted when a boat arrives carrying the wide-eyed innocent Antipholus of Syracuse and his eager but unsophisticated servant, Dromio of Syracuse. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Aug. 2025 Gale was deemed old-fashioned and her focus on small-town Midwestern life was thought to be unsophisticated. Deborah Williams july 14, Literary Hub, 14 July 2025 Luckily for Marian, much of Bertha’s attention is stolen by the unexpected arrival of her unsophisticated sister; Bertha’s too busy making snide comments and tricking her into wearing nicer gowns to even bother with Marian. Andy Swift, TVLine, 13 July 2025 Hokey, unsophisticated, and overlong, Superman III does not meet the bar set by the prior Reeve films, offering only strictly modest superpowered entertainment. Rory Doherty, Vulture, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for unsophisticated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsophisticated
Adjective
  • But anyone imagining that this problem will be resolved by taking games beyond international borders is extremely naive.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • In contrast, the late-’90s and early-2000s pop culture era—glittery, naive, and commercially loud—feels like an antidote to endless doom-scrolling.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • While House Republicans can pass legislation with a simple majority vote, Senate Republicans cannot advance most matters without meeting a 60-vote threshold.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2025
  • But in stoppage time, Miami was gifted a third goal when Jordi Alba crossed from the left and keeper Willis, colliding with defender Walker Zimmerman, spilled the ball right to Messi, who had the simplest of tap-ins.
    The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • De Silva, police noted, was an innocent bystander who was not involved in the quarrel and was not believed to have been the target.
    Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
  • So that seemingly innocent Machu Picchu stamp—one of the most popular souvenir stamps around—could be viewed not as a harmless keepsake but as an unauthorized alteration that might jeopardize your ability to travel.
    Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Whether towing its matching trailer or not, the Elevance SUV is carefully designed for moving confidently from city streets to primitive stretches of off-road.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Oct. 2025
  • The study also explains why some primitive meteorites formed millions of years later than the first solid bodies in the solar system.
    Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • But let’s face it, the Red Wings have looked a bit inexperienced at times so far, too.
    Max Bultman, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
  • The helmers cycle through a year’s worth of seasons for Zhenya and Anatolij Pilipenko, inexperienced farmers who envisioned a new life for themselves and their two young daughters.
    Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Noah's sister-in-law Esther (Jackie Tohn), the Jewish character portrayed most insultingly last year, has thankfully been softened and refined, and has somehow become the lone voice of reason amongst a group of immature idiots.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Stem cells are immature cells that have the ability to turn into insulin-producing beta cells and to produce more cells like themselves.
    Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Unsophisticated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsophisticated. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on unsophisticated

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