naivete
noun
na·ive·te
nä-ˌēv-ˈtā 
-ˌē-və-;
nä-ˈēv-ˌtā,
-ˈē-və-;
nī-
variants
or naïveté
or less commonly naiveté
Synonyms
Examples of naivete in a Sentence
her naïveté led her to leave her new car unlocked while she shopped at the mall
though he was streetwise, the investigative reporter regularly assumed an air of naïveté when he was interviewing confidence men, charlatans, counterfeiters, and other assorted swindlers of the general public
Recent Examples on the Web
Love, for us, required that nauseating combination of naivete, delusion, and fate.
—
Tommy Dorfman, Vogue, 2 May 2024
The heartbreaking moment is orchestrated by Norma, who plays on Mitzi’s naivete and encourages her to break the news to Maxine during the biggest event of the social season.
—Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Her phrasing is bell-like in its clarity; the melody has a halting naivete, like a nursery rhyme.
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 19 Apr. 2024
And Patel, notably, did not bulk up to hulking superhero levels for the role; the actor cuts a lean figure, underlining Kid’s vulnerability and naivete.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2024
Both heroes raise eyebrows in their new milieu for their naivete, their sartorial flair and their distaste for violence.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Mar. 2024
Blunt sizzled in a red Louis Vuitton gown that her character, Emily Charlton, would commend, while Hathaway wore a cerulean blue Versace design, a nod to the iconic scene in which Miranda elegantly scolds Andy for her sartorial naivete.
—Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 25 Mar. 2024
Many great books have been written about the subject (not to mention Christopher Nolan’s colossal film); in effect, he was punished for his opposition to the H-bomb, probably his arrogance and naivete as well.
—Kc Cole, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024
That an insecure platform would be used to discuss military operations in Ukraine betrays a sense of naivete by the Germans, Ledwidge said.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC News, 4 Mar. 2024
Tommy Dorfman, Vogue, 2 May 2024
The heartbreaking moment is orchestrated by Norma, who plays on Mitzi’s naivete and encourages her to break the news to Maxine during the biggest event of the social season.
—Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Her phrasing is bell-like in its clarity; the melody has a halting naivete, like a nursery rhyme.
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 19 Apr. 2024
And Patel, notably, did not bulk up to hulking superhero levels for the role; the actor cuts a lean figure, underlining Kid’s vulnerability and naivete.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2024
Both heroes raise eyebrows in their new milieu for their naivete, their sartorial flair and their distaste for violence.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Mar. 2024
Blunt sizzled in a red Louis Vuitton gown that her character, Emily Charlton, would commend, while Hathaway wore a cerulean blue Versace design, a nod to the iconic scene in which Miranda elegantly scolds Andy for her sartorial naivete.
—Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 25 Mar. 2024
Many great books have been written about the subject (not to mention Christopher Nolan’s colossal film); in effect, he was punished for his opposition to the H-bomb, probably his arrogance and naivete as well.
—Kc Cole, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024
That an insecure platform would be used to discuss military operations in Ukraine betrays a sense of naivete by the Germans, Ledwidge said.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC News, 4 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'naivete.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near naivete
Cite this Entry
“Naivete.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/naivete. Accessed 17 May. 2024.
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