Definition of artlessnext
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Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of artless are ingenuous, naive, natural, and unsophisticated. While all these words mean "free from pretension or calculation," 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 artless?

While the synonyms ingenuous and artless are close in meaning, ingenuous implies inability to disguise or conceal one's feelings or intentions.

the ingenuous enthusiasm of children

When would naive be a good substitute for artless?

Although the words naive and artless have much in common, naive suggests lack of worldly wisdom often connoting credulousness and unchecked innocence.

politically naive

Where would natural be a reasonable alternative to artless?

While in some cases nearly identical to artless, natural implies lacking artificiality and self-consciousness and having a spontaneousness suggesting the natural rather than the man-made world.

her unaffected, natural manner

When might unsophisticated be a better fit than artless?

The synonyms unsophisticated and artless are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 artless In her practice, Palazzolo focuses heavily on industrial materials as a way of turning things perceived as artless or overtly masculine on their head. Mario Rodriguez, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025 While the naked manicure trend has been reigning supreme among celebrities, Dua Lipa has forwent the current nail artless aesthetic for something altogether more starry and summer-ready. Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 26 May 2025 First adapted for the screen by Otto Preminger in 1958, the film starred David Niven and Jean Seberg, forever conflating the author in the public imagination with the artless allure — and iconic haircut — of Ms. Seberg. Sadie Stein, New York Times, 14 May 2025 All that’s there is an artless effort to provoke outrage — Tony Hinchcliffe with the world’s strongest Boston accent. Joe Berkowitz, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for artless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for artless
Adjective
  • In an email to employees, Chairman of the Board Michael Wichterich said Expand Energy's move to Houston will be completed by mid-2026 but promised the Oklahoma City workforce will be unaffected by the relocation.
    Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Lids are generally more durable and can be reused multiple times, while parchment paper can only be reused a few times if its quality remains unaffected.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Isabel, sitting in a driving-range stall, is nearly hit with a ball when a clumsy golfer clangs it off a metal railing.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2026
  • The results are often enervating though sometimes clumsy.
    Eli Enis, Pitchfork, 3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The files have created some genuine issues for news organizations, whose ranks are filled with individuals with whom Epstein hoped to forge personal connections.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Both players had fists full of each other’s shirts, but the referee pointed to the spot and deemed Akpoguma not to have made a genuine attempt for the ball.
    Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • To do so would be rude, politically perilous, insulting to our biggest trade partner and just plain weird.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The interactions would last 30 seconds, maybe, and no one was rude.
    Matt Gelb, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • But these songs are also honest, sometimes despite themselves, about the feelings of impotence associated with watching history play out on a screen.
    Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2026
  • At least Mamdani was honest and campaigned as a socialist.
    Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Feltner’s routine was pretty simple.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 12 Feb. 2026
  • Crime 101 takes the same view of quid pro quo as the most basic form of American commerce and makes simple but brutal points about value and self-worth, where your car, its year, make and model, matters more than your resumé.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • For much of 2025, their doldrums felt much worse than the typical rough patch that parties endure after bad election defeats.
    Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Unfortunately, peel-and-stick tiles will not hold up well on rough walls and floors or uneven surfaces.
    Cori Sears, The Spruce, 11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Chris Harrison sparked controversy Wednesday for a seemingly innocent request posted on social media.
    Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
  • The modern Western culture around nudity really teaches you shame about something that is so human and natural and innocent.
    Nicola Dall'Asen, Allure, 5 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Artless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/artless. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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