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 unaffected
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 susceptible
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 Ontario native initially read for Cady Heron, the naive protagonist ultimately played by Lindsay Lohan, then 17.
—
Andrea Mandell, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
In many ways a template for modern romantic comedies, the film has Stanwyck playing a sharp con artist looking to hustle Fonda’s naïve, wealthy herpetologist while on an ocean liner.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Hope, in her framing, is not naïve.
—Penny Abeywardena, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Up until just before Season 3, Colin was quite naïve to the way, of world for the men of the Ton.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for naive
Andrea Mandell, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
In many ways a template for modern romantic comedies, the film has Stanwyck playing a sharp con artist looking to hustle Fonda’s naïve, wealthy herpetologist while on an ocean liner.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Hope, in her framing, is not naïve.
—Penny Abeywardena, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Up until just before Season 3, Colin was quite naïve to the way, of world for the men of the Ton.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for naive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naive
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
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
-
Teens are more prone to act on emotion, more susceptible to peer pressure and often less able to consider long-term consequences.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Certain medical conditions and factors like age can also make people more susceptible to the cold.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
8 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
-
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
-
Use features like in-app messaging, video chat before meeting in person, profile visibility controls and easy blocking or reporting options.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Sánchez Arévalo has framed the film as a deliberate genre blend — thriller, drama, black comedy and Western — emphasizing that its resistance to easy labelling was central to the appeal.—
Emiliano De Pablos,
Variety,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
All of Quigley’s challengers are politically inexperienced but impassioned Democrats running to the incumbent’s left.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The most common complaints include denying legitimate claims, partnering with inexperienced and unqualified service providers, poor service, and slow response times.—
Sharon Brandwein,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The most important issue facing the county is ensuring that the felt needs of residents are prioritized, and that the community feels seen, heard and responded to through honest, timely communication.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Preparation before the storm, honest assessment after.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Naive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/naive. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
