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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 The actor plays Lochlan Ratliff, the naive son of Timothy and Victoria, who gets swept away in his family’s crazy antics. Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 16 Mar. 2025 Her naive ignorance to her father’s condition is both relatable and tragic, and gives weight to an older Sophie who could have very well inherited her father’s trauma and depression. Travis Bean, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025 But where Sematary drew inspiration from underground rap, Ghost Mountain’s earliest obsessions were indie bands like Modest Mouse and the Unicorns, whose anxious songs and caterwauling vocals struck a chord somewhere between naive and degenerate. Meaghan Garvey, Pitchfork, 13 Mar. 2025 Laurel Melina nicely captures Judy’s growth from a naive newbie to a pistol-packing picture of poise. Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for naive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naive
Adjective
  • The show follows an innocent father (Worthington) serving life in prison for the murder of his own son.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2025
  • At first, his relationship with Claire seemed innocent enough.
    Christina Pérez, Vogue, 31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Without further context, the statement feels hollow — lacking both accountability and a genuine acknowledgment of the culture that made the boot iconic.
    Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Is this the genuine cargo or some wiry wisp of a Ringo impersonator?
    Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • But where this Star truly shined (that was too easy) was in giving a despondent Cedrek a pep talk after his disastrous challenge performance.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • However, with all the flavor, sweetener, and additive options today, going overboard with less healthy coffee creations can be easy.
    Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Be honest about strategic intent: If the acquisition will eventually be fully integrated, communicate this from the beginning rather than creating false expectations of independence.
    Jennifer J. Fondrevay, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Viola Davis shared an honest admission about a past interaction with the late Chadwick Boseman.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Martha Stewart and Mila Kunis carried ones that looked like this simple option.
    Clint Davis, People.com, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Murena Pixel Tablet Apps Switching away from Google's flavor of Android will always result in an app gap, and there's no simple way around it.
    Ewan Spence, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • That versatility is, in a lot of ways, the true beauty of unicorns.
    Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Voters are not famous for their patience or, as Joe Biden could explain, their fondness for higher prices, something that’s true even if this is a one-off adjustment.
    The Editors, National Review, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • So be careful out there folks and don’t be gullible.
    Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Until, of course, someone convinces a gullible public—or a U.S. senator—that all research currency, new and old, is created equal.
    Adam Marcus, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Each of those words is unsophisticated alone and devastating when strung together.
    Joel Stein, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025
  • Ertz and Gesicki are likely to want to play for contenders, while Conklin and Johnson will look to cash in on a fairly unsophisticated market.
    Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Naive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/naive. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025.

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