1
as in genuine
free from any intent to deceive or impress others
photographs that capture the ingenuous smiles of young children at play
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in naive
lacking in worldly wisdom or informed judgment
the story of an ingenuous newcomer to the big city who outwits the slickers at their own game
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Recent Examples of ingenuous
Ross, meanwhile, exudes suspiciously ingenuous charisma as the heavily accented voice coming out of Meek’s Speak & Spell.
—
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2026
The former spouses co-parent an ingenuous teen, Carmelo (Jalyn Hall).
—Judy Berman, Time, 20 Feb. 2026
Talk of a solution—of two states, of a confederation, of nearly any prospect for a secure and free mode of coexistence—has long been dismissed as either an ingenuous assertion of faith or a cynical pantomime, an empty gesture toward a future no one expects to see.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2025
By the water’s edge, her insecure 25-year-old son, Konstantin (Kodi Smit-McPhee), is mounting a post-apocalyptic play in which his enduring love, ingenuous country girl Nina (Emma Corrin), can act.
—Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 12 Feb. 2025
Heathcliff, of course, is the prime example, growing from an ingenuous child into a glowering adult who spins all the considerable evil ever done to him — much of it based on race and class — into justification for his long game of retribution.
—Laura Collins-Hughes, New York Times, 18 Oct. 2022
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2026
The former spouses co-parent an ingenuous teen, Carmelo (Jalyn Hall).
—Judy Berman, Time, 20 Feb. 2026
Talk of a solution—of two states, of a confederation, of nearly any prospect for a secure and free mode of coexistence—has long been dismissed as either an ingenuous assertion of faith or a cynical pantomime, an empty gesture toward a future no one expects to see.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2025
By the water’s edge, her insecure 25-year-old son, Konstantin (Kodi Smit-McPhee), is mounting a post-apocalyptic play in which his enduring love, ingenuous country girl Nina (Emma Corrin), can act.
—Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 12 Feb. 2025
Heathcliff, of course, is the prime example, growing from an ingenuous child into a glowering adult who spins all the considerable evil ever done to him — much of it based on race and class — into justification for his long game of retribution.
—Laura Collins-Hughes, New York Times, 18 Oct. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ingenuous
Adjective
-
Verbal commitments should lead to genuine action, even if we’re intimidated by what must be done.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The service Utterly Balinese and therefore utterly lovely—all smiles and genuine ‘how-has-your-day-beens’.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
My call with her was my naïve attempt at just this.—
Elisa Wouk Almino
Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Those two youngsters happen to be a happily engaged, and happily naive, couple, and the series plays out exploring the dynamics between the two relationships, one young, loving and energetic, the other old, tired and toxic.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
There’s no doubt that with EVs, drivers are unaffected by the volatile swing of global oil markets.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Garbage pickup will be unaffected on Easter Sunday, as there is regularly no pickup collection on Sundays.—
Isa Almeida,
Oklahoman,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Six innocent people, including an unborn baby, died in three separate pursuits throughout Orange and Los Angeles counties this week.—
Tom Wait,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
An error in a legal brief could lead to an innocent person’s incarceration.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Iran practices honest bludgeon work.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Use honest words, and let confidence take root.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Build buffer time, trim one commitment, then return to the itinerary with even gentler expectations and a simpler packing list.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Parents, guardians, aunts and uncles don't have time to read every book on the shelf while trying to pick something for the young reader in their life, so here are some simple ways to determine if a book is suitable for that child.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
There was no true striker for England.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The Full Moon highlights your 4th House of Traditions, nudging you to think about what makes your residence a true home base.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Steve Ponto said his daughter means well, but is inexperienced and especially passionate.—
Bridget Fogarty,
jsonline.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Messi went in as a halftime substitute in the 2-1 victory over Mauritania on March 27, a result against an inexperienced opponent that did not sit well with Scaloni.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ingenuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ingenuous. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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