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Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of naive are artless, ingenuous, natural, and unsophisticated. While all these words mean "free from pretension or calculation," naive suggests lack of worldly wisdom often connoting credulousness and unchecked innocence.

politically naive

When can artless be used instead of naive?

The meanings of artless and naive largely overlap; however, 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 naive?

Although the words ingenuous and naive have much in common, ingenuous implies inability to disguise or conceal one's feelings or intentions.

the ingenuous enthusiasm of children

When would natural be a good substitute for naive?

The synonyms natural and naive are sometimes interchangeable, but natural implies lacking artificiality and self-consciousness and having a spontaneousness suggesting the natural rather than the man-made world.

her unaffected, natural manner

In what contexts can unsophisticated take the place of naive?

While in some cases nearly identical to naive, 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 naive Modern takes on the tankini and boy short offer nostalgia without being too naive and are also seen from Candice Swaenpoel’s Topic of C line or Hunza G’s colorful styles. Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 27 June 2025 Yet such arguments are either geopolitically naive or disingenuous. Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 20 June 2025 Expecting the owners of AI technologies to suddenly become benevolent distributors of wealth without structural incentives seems, at best, naive. Gary Rivlin, Time, 4 June 2025 As our climate changes, however, complacent or naive assumptions about what regions are safe may be quite flawed. Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for naive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naive
Adjective
  • Additionally, wearing a keffiyeh, a traditional Palestinian head scarf, at an event celebrating Arab Heritage Month was inflammatory of Johnson in the political environment following the massacre of innocent Israelis on Oct. 7, 2023.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 27 July 2025
  • Attorneys have also raised concerns about the increase in arrests of people with pending charges, who are presumed innocent, and disrupting their ability to mount a defense.
    Eva Wen, jsonline.com, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • In 2025, personal touch and human logic are vital for combating the fatigue often associated with a lack of genuine connection.
    Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 29 July 2025
  • That is the only way Trump can be a genuine peacemaker in the Middle East.
    ZAHA HASSAN, Foreign Affairs, 29 July 2025
Adjective
  • Experts say there are no easy answers to this crisis.
    Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 31 July 2025
  • Fortuna Health wants enrolling in Medicaid to be as easy as filing taxes with TurboTax.
    Alexandra Meier, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
Adjective
  • This is a great way to spot medical fraud or an honest human error like a miscoding of services.
    Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • And this all starts by surrounding yourself with forward-thinking partners who put your best interest at heart, and who put honest assessment of your needs ahead of racking up a big sale on the trend du jour.
    Tim Ringel, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
Adjective
  • Looking for their environmental DNA in scales, slime or skin cells that living beings shed all the time is a simpler way, Workman said.
    Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 24 July 2025
  • Accessories were kept simple with large black sunglasses, a black and gold chain shoulder bag, and gold bangles—save for an extra large, wide-brimmed black sun hat.
    Vogue, Vogue, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • This rings especially true for me, a vegetarian for nearly two decades.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 26 July 2025
  • This was certainly true of the Mets last summer when Taylor played his way into the lineup more consistently than Harrison Bader.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 26 July 2025
Adjective
  • Clearly, these governors and the state legislators believe their constituents who voted them into office are so gullible that facts and truth are unnecessary.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025
  • Those who get the fish placed on their backs are seen as gullible.
    Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Adjective
  • Luckily for Marian, much of Bertha’s attention is stolen by the unexpected arrival of her unsophisticated sister; Bertha’s too busy making snide comments and tricking her into wearing nicer gowns to even bother with Marian.
    Andy Swift, TVLine, 13 July 2025
  • Hokey, unsophisticated, and overlong, Superman III does not meet the bar set by the prior Reeve films, offering only strictly modest superpowered entertainment.
    Rory Doherty, Vulture, 11 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Naive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/naive. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

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