variants
or naïve
1
as in innocent
lacking in worldly wisdom or informed judgment
a first-time buyer who was so naive that he believed the salesman's spiel and paid good money for the rusty and broken-down car
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in genuine
free from any intent to deceive or impress others
the young girl gave honest and naive answers to the social worker's probing questions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in easy
readily taken advantage of
we get piles of junk mail because you are naive enough to keep entering these dumb contests
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 naive
The older women’s responses keep evolving, but Johanne’s mom does understandably worry that the teacher has abused her daughter (who’s a realistic, adolescent blend of perceptive and naive).
—
Nicolas Rapold, Deadline, 22 Feb. 2025
Danso, like other young defenders, could be naive in certain situations and was guilty of making erratic decisions.
—Jay Harris, The Athletic, 5 Feb. 2025
But in the transactional world of Trump, Musk, and DOGE, the concept of career civil servants taking lower-paying, apolitical work to serve an intangible greater good is naive at best.
—Adam Chandler, TIME, 20 Feb. 2025
The idea sounds simple, even naive: Fix the money, fix the world.
—Bryan Benson, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for naive
Nicolas Rapold, Deadline, 22 Feb. 2025
Danso, like other young defenders, could be naive in certain situations and was guilty of making erratic decisions.
—Jay Harris, The Athletic, 5 Feb. 2025
But in the transactional world of Trump, Musk, and DOGE, the concept of career civil servants taking lower-paying, apolitical work to serve an intangible greater good is naive at best.
—Adam Chandler, TIME, 20 Feb. 2025
The idea sounds simple, even naive: Fix the money, fix the world.
—Bryan Benson, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for naive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naive
Adjective
-
In a race against time, Melissa must figure out if an innocent man is going to die for a crime her father really committed.—
Abigail Lee,
Variety,
5 Mar. 2025
-
Dangerously selfish, vain and proud, Wilde’s Salome is anything but innocent.—
E.R. Zarevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
But their filing this week suggests that response wasn't genuine.—
Ashley Belanger,
Ars Technica,
7 Mar. 2025
-
Donors, for their part, gain peace of mind knowing their contributions are making a genuine, measurable difference—solidifying an enduring partnership in the quest for positive social change.—
Victoria Philips,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Apart from big technology firms (which are easier to decarbonize), large industrial companies that have engaged in the climate conversation have set mid-century targets.—
Justin Worland,
TIME,
25 Feb. 2025
-
The Pioneer Woman’s Three-Piece Mixing Bowls are durable, versatile, and easy to store.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Without fair elections, an honest media environment and a credible opposition, voters can’t correct their country’s course at the ballot box, providing competitive authoritarian regimes little incentive to do anything but enrich themselves.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2025
-
But to be honest the significant immune support is more than enough to keep me taking it.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
This fund is the simplest way to play the inevitable rise in lithium prices.—
Brett Owens,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
-
Prioritizing fitness amid a busy travel schedule, the former Radio City Rockette and The Talk host says her outlook is simple.—
Meredith Lepore,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
That’s true, however, what this risk assessment request by the governor does do is put the whole matter in Newsom’s hands, despite the resentencing hearing set for later in March.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
4 Mar. 2025
-
These actions have been saving lives and driving true culture change, creating a safer future for everyone.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
So be careful out there folks and don’t be gullible.—
Kirsty Hatcher,
People.com,
3 Mar. 2025
-
Until, of course, someone convinces a gullible public—or a U.S. senator—that all research currency, new and old, is created equal.—
Adam Marcus,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Today’s political speeches and television dramas don’t denigrate Ottoman leaders as unsophisticated conquerors but adulate them as pioneers of a new civilizational order—fair in governance and more compassionate toward their subjects than their Western contemporaries.—
Asli Aydintasbas,
Foreign Affairs,
19 May 2021
-
Commutations for unsophisticated folk who had been over-sentenced would have been defensible, but impunity for practitioners of political violence is what doomed the Weimar Republic.—
George Liebmann,
Baltimore Sun,
23 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Naive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/naive. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share