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Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of artless are ingenuous, naive, natural, and unsophisticated. While all these words mean "free from pretension or calculation," 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 artless?

While the synonyms ingenuous and artless are close in meaning, ingenuous implies inability to disguise or conceal one's feelings or intentions.

the ingenuous enthusiasm of children

When would naive be a good substitute for artless?

Although the words naive and artless have much in common, naive suggests lack of worldly wisdom often connoting credulousness and unchecked innocence.

politically naive

Where would natural be a reasonable alternative to artless?

While in some cases nearly identical to artless, natural implies lacking artificiality and self-consciousness and having a spontaneousness suggesting the natural rather than the man-made world.

her unaffected, natural manner

When might unsophisticated be a better fit than artless?

The synonyms unsophisticated and artless are sometimes interchangeable, but unsophisticated implies a lack of experience and training necessary for social ease and adroitness.

unsophisticated adolescents

Examples 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 artless Jean Seberg and Jean-Paul Belmondo are Patricia and Michel, the gamine and the criminal, simultaneously artless and deliberate. Ew Staff, EW.com, 7 May 2024 His pictures look perfectly artless, the opposite of the decisive moment and the epitome of the snapshot aesthetic. Vince Aletti, The New Yorker, 29 Jan. 2024 Cosentino has a rich, burly voice that’s unpretentious without feeling artless. Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 31 July 2023 On some slow or rainy day, when the tennis at Wimbledon is banging and artless as a metronome or suspended by weather, do yourself a favor. Sally Jenkins, Anchorage Daily News, 3 July 2023 See all Example Sentences for artless 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for artless
Adjective
  • Sundance is rolling towards us and so far our packaging has been unaffected.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Sound bake-offs in the Bay Area, New York and London are unaffected, while hair and makeup and visual effects bake-offs will be replaced with virtual discussions.
    Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • In a moment when Liston was hurling a clumsy punch and his balance was susceptible, Ali threw what looked like a swiping right graze at his opponent’s head.
    Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Even observers who think the outlook for China’s economy is less dire agree that its growth is slowing and will be constrained by structural challenges and a clumsy policymaking process.
    Jude Blanchette, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Birmingham, Alabama, home with a sense of genuine, collected warmth.
    Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 18 Jan. 2025
  • The information the source supplies must be newsworthy and give readers genuine insight.
    Maria Abi-Habib, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Less than one day into 2025, the superstar has already punched in with one of her characteristic comebacks, shutting down a troll who demanded new music and called her a rude name on Instagram Wednesday (Jan. 1).
    Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 2 Jan. 2025
  • Several replies praised the user for taking such direct action against someone who was rude to them.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • My top answer is a simple and no-brainer recommendation: Wash your hands with soap and water.
    Amanda Schupak, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Adidas Originals Stan Smith Sneakers These iconic Stan Smith sneakers offer form and function thanks to their simple design, soft leather material (no blisters here!), and roomy fit.
    Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Goldman Sachs estimates that the vessels targeted by the sanctions amounted to 25% of Russia’s energy exports, with the majority being crude oil.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 12 Jan. 2025
  • With 1 million barrels of crude oil aboard, it had been struck and later sabotaged with explosives by the Houthis as part of their campaign over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.
    JON GAMBRELL THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 11 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Punching probably is a bit overrated, to be honest.
    Michael Cox, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025
  • The bottom line is that deciding whether to start a new business requires an honest assessment of your passion, dedication, and readiness for the journey ahead.
    Melissa Houston, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Although the name might conjure a place that's a little rough around the edges, don't be fooled—the food at Stinky's is top notch, and the live music is not to be missed.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 9 Jan. 2025
  • Battling high winds and rough seas, the ship came perilously close to running aground on rocky shores.
    David Nikel, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Artless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/artless. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on artless

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