variants
or naif
as in naive
lacking in worldly wisdom or informed judgment
the senator, newly elected and still naïf, will learn soon enough how Washington really works
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
or naif
as in virgin
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of naïf
Meghan Cox Gurdon, WSJ, 21 Nov. 2023
Dennis Harvey, Variety, 3 July 2025
Rogan, wearing his persona as a babe-in-the-woods naif, listened to this nonsense in slack-jawed stupefaction.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
Angourie Rice plays our ostensible heroine Cady Heron as more of an earnest naif.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2024
Adjective
Most illustrators play up the coziness of the tale, what with children all snug in their beds dreaming of sugarplums and suchlike, but the friendly lines and marzipan colors of Ms. Beech’s naif illustrations take coziness to a new level.
—Meghan Cox Gurdon, WSJ, 21 Nov. 2023
Noun
Glusman is perfectly fine, but the writing leaves this figure too much of a naif to seem threatening or to be credible when Elliot somehow circumvents Sophie’s protective barriers.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 3 July 2025
Rogan, wearing his persona as a babe-in-the-woods naif, listened to this nonsense in slack-jawed stupefaction.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
Angourie Rice plays our ostensible heroine Cady Heron as more of an earnest naif.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naïf
Adjective
-
Critics say Starmer was, at best, naive in not recognizing the risks involved.—
JILL LAWLESS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Critics say Mandelson’s ties with Epstein made his appointment too risky and Starmer was, at best, naive.—
Jill Lawless,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Guests ascended the familiar staircase to the lobby, greeted immediately with margaritas and virgin palomas.—
Ryma Chikhoune,
Footwear News,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Opt for extra virgin avocado oil whenever possible.—
Amy Brownstein,
Verywell Health,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
It’s served with a yogurt ice cream, fermented green strawberries and a sauce made from apple juice and fermented shiitake brine.—
Claire Ballor
Staff Reporter,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
At New York Fashion Week last September for the spring 2026 season, Zac Posen, partnering with celebrity stylist Erin Walsh, designed a gown inspired by Starbucks’ iconic green color seen in its Siren logo.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
As a result, tennis balls were stuck on the ends of his horns to protect the innocent.—
Mark Price
January 29,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Jan. 2026
-
In a key scene, the innocents jump back and forth between dinner parties playing out at the same time despite taking place on successive nights.—
Manuel Mendoza,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Jan. 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
Noun
-
Finally, and very importantly for the greenhorns among us: What’s your tip for getting rid of soreness after a ride?—
Samantha Dunn,
Oc Register,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Flecks of mica and pyrite and who knows what, but only fools and greenhorns mistake it for gold.—
John Archibald,
Southern Living,
25 May 2025
Noun
-
Mahan’s fledgling campaign has yet to file fundraising reports that would reveal its donors.—
Ethan Varian,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The recent news that New York City is facing a $12 billion budget gap is a dose of reality to the fledgling Mamdani administration, which seems to think money grows on trees.—
Nicole Malliotakis,
New York Daily News,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Australian ingenue Yerin Ha is ready for her close-up.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
27 Jan. 2026
-
So, for the next few months, award show contenders, winners, and Hollywood ingenues will have the spotlight on them.—
Katherine Singh,
Refinery29,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Naïf.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/na%C3%AFf. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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