1
as in naive
lacking in worldly wisdom or informed judgment
a wide-eyed and trusting child
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in susceptible
readily taken advantage of
the sort of phony UFO "artifacts" that wide-eyed tourists fall for
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 wide-eyed
Etienne’s aesthetic has always trafficked in the conventions of dance-pop, but their songs are hopeful and wide-eyed, avoiding any hints of hedonistic decadence.
—
Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
When those two go rogue, Ulysses enlists Gunderson’s misunderstood adult child, Alex (Jess McLeod), who’s like the wide-eyed kid to Odenkirk’s Shane, in this movie’s twisted-Western logic.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025
Anyier Anei is Ada, a newbie model from South Sudan by way of Kenya, wide-eyed and hungry as she’s tossed into a maelstrom of haughty men and clubgoing sisters in strutting.
—Richard Lawson, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
His description of Lopez earned some awkward laughs from the rest of the cast, Myers and Ortega included, while Sunday was wide-eyed and seemingly shocked by the answer.
—Julia Moore, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wide-eyed
Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
When those two go rogue, Ulysses enlists Gunderson’s misunderstood adult child, Alex (Jess McLeod), who’s like the wide-eyed kid to Odenkirk’s Shane, in this movie’s twisted-Western logic.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025
Anyier Anei is Ada, a newbie model from South Sudan by way of Kenya, wide-eyed and hungry as she’s tossed into a maelstrom of haughty men and clubgoing sisters in strutting.
—Richard Lawson, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
His description of Lopez earned some awkward laughs from the rest of the cast, Myers and Ortega included, while Sunday was wide-eyed and seemingly shocked by the answer.
—Julia Moore, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wide-eyed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wide-eyed
Adjective
-
Jane’s voice shifts from that of a naïve girl to that of a capable young woman as Laser traces her path out of the wilderness.—
AudioFile Magazine
September 30,
Literary Hub,
30 Sep. 2025
-
His hesitation has been seen publicly as naïve and risky, eroding faith in the monarchy.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Common Pests & Plant Diseases Camellias are susceptible to several fungal diseases, the most serious of which are flower blight, root rot, and camellia dieback and canker.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
1 Oct. 2025
-
This is the key reason why older adults are more susceptible to cancer and severe illness.—
Jocelyn Solis-Moreira,
Flow Space,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
As with all investigations leading to arrest, the subjects of the investigation are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
4 Oct. 2025
-
The new dating term 'Shrekking' sounds innocent.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Setup is as easy as plugging in the HDMI cable into your TV and the sound bar, thanks to HDMI ARC, and the slim profile allows this device to be wall-mounted or propped up on your TV stand.—
Jade Chung-Lee,
PC Magazine,
8 Oct. 2025
-
McConkey is an even easier case to make, now doing well himself in the NFL, and responsible for 119 catches, 1,687 receiving yards and 18 total touchdowns over those three years.—
Seth Emerson,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
By the way, Valera wasn’t the only inexperienced Guardian to make a pivotal play.—
Levi Weaver,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Fleck said that type of at-the-line adjustment is atypical for such an inexperienced player; Lindsey was making only his fourth collegiate start.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Jared Jewelers Bulova Phantom Watch A watch is both practical and fashionable, and this style adds a touch of sparkle to simple outfits.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Each year, as the temperature rises, the town’s regular population of around 300 swells with thousands of kids soaking up the simple pleasures of the great outdoors.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Edelman brings goofy charm to Adam, a gullible and guileless father of four, while Key is consistently funny as the simpering Ken.—
Kristen Baldwin,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Rather than feeling triumphant at how believable ELIZA was, Weizenbaum was depressed by how gullible people seemed to be.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
26 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wide-eyed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wide-eyed. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share