1
as in genuine
free from any intent to deceive or impress others
photographs that capture the ingenuous smiles of young children at play
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ingenuous
Modern Love used a photo of David Bowie in a long dress as his profile picture, and so the ingenuous, myopic Floyd expects a woman.
—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
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
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ingenuous
Adjective
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Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley There may still be questions about whether the romance between Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley was genuine, and their secret, quick-turn overseas wedding didn't help matters.
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This is a film with genuine heart and authenticity that reflects modern Britain while speaking to audiences far beyond its borders.
Adjective
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The cyclical reality awaiting ‘naive capital’ Allianz is far from the only insurer to have prospered through recent upheavals.
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But performing fealty to that naïve and impoverished picture of judging had become nearly de rigueur for both liberals and conservatives.
Adjective
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Unlike the 13 colonies, East and West Florida were largely unaffected by the British Stamp Act and other taxes that fueled resentment elsewhere because the colonies produced relatively little for the British colonial economy.
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Undergraduate lending is largely unaffected.
Adjective
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All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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That law predates the much wider United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which took effect in 1994, giving ships the right of innocent passage through any country's territorial waters without paying a fee.
Adjective
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Refine a portfolio piece, build a small prototype, or share a draft with someone who gives honest notes.
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County officials have repeatedly warned that fraudulent claims take money away from public services and shift the tax burden to honest taxpayers.
Adjective
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As for the volunteers, the goal is simple—help someone stay safe before the heat turns into an emergency.
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Evidence for at-home tools is thinner than for professional manual drainage, but the simplest options can offer mild circulation and surface-lymph support at a low price.
Adjective
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From viral Aldi Finds to tried-and-true products shoppers love to tell their friends about, people love the thrill of discovering something new here.
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That rugged access is part of the appeal for buyers seeking a true escape rather than a weekend cabin with neighbors in sight.
Adjective
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Over the same period, entry-level head count at the high-intensity firms rose 12%, contradicting predictions and fears that young or inexperienced workers would be most at risk of losing their jobs to AI.
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Immer and Lois work with land stewards to find projects that make sense for eager but often inexperienced volunteers.
Cite this Entry
“Ingenuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ingenuous. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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