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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

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 naive Mercifully, Newcastle came up against a Leicester side whose setup under Ruud van Nistelrooy was as naive as their defensive performance was pitiful. Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024 Season 1 introduced Amina (Anjana Vasan), a naive but musically gifted nerd who joins the band Lady Parts to get closer to one member’s hunky brother. Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2024 Instead, Guillermo’s boss turned out to be something far more common: just a regular old selfish human willing to take advantage of an ambitious but naive underling. Katie Rife, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2024 Starring Tilda Swinton and Michael Shannon as Mother and Father, and George MacKay as the sweet and naive Son, the film finds its privileged characters waiting out the apocalypse in comfort. Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 7 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for naive 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naive
Adjective
  • According to the Death Penalty Information Center, 11 innocent people have been freed from Oklahoma's death row and seven clemencies have been granted in the state.
    CBS News, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2024
  • However, this innocent appearance doesn’t last long.
    Scott Travers, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • But 47 has navigated those waters better than most, delivering some genuine interpersonal conflict and elevating a handful of satisfyingly devious characters including the initially hapless Andy Rueda and Keyser Söze-ian corporate lawyer Genevieve Mushaluk.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024
  • Even beyond the idea that an actual curse has befallen Ruby — or has befallen everyone with the bad luck (or judgment?) to have hooked up with her — Laid operates in an exaggerated version of reality where genuine human emotion has to jostle for space with cartoon plot logic.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Founders with degrees from prestigious universities often have an easier time securing funding for their big ideas, with strong alumni networks, bias toward top graduates, and access to university entrepreneurship programs each adding a rung to their ladder of success.
    William Mullane, The Tennessean, 22 Dec. 2024
  • Research out of the Women’s Sport Foundation has found that 65% of coaches believed men had an easier time gaining top-level coaching jobs, while 75% reported men had advantages in negotiating salary increases.
    Lindsey Darvin, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The actress, who plays an attorney and de facto detective, allows an honest revelation.
    Ralphie Aversa, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2024
  • And lawyers have a responsibility as officers of the court, even in the public square, to be truthful and honest.
    Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Homemade ice cream is a lot simpler to make than most people realize.
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2024
  • The object of the game is simple: You’re dropped on a desert island with the goal of decorating it to create a paradise.
    Sarah Felbin, SELF, 31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • While the Consulate General of the Netherlands’ dismissed our concerns, the City of New York has taken strides towards true partnership.
    Joe Baker, New York Daily News, 28 Dec. 2024
  • This topic of research started with a group of Japanese scientists trying to determine the true benefits of forest bathing—shinrin-yoku.
    Kathy Willis, WIRED, 28 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • So be careful out there folks and don’t be gullible.
    Angel Saunders, People.com, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Big money, a gullible and clueless electorate, and a party (the Democrats) out of touch with reality are the major culprits.
    Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • For anyone who thinks a pair of headphones aimed at drummers might be a bit unsophisticated and possibly a little brutal, nothing could be further from the truth.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024
  • Initially hesitant to accept her help, Chadwick warms to his TA thanks to her anxious but dedicated work ethic, as well as her flare for debate — a notable turn from the somewhat unsophisticated nature of Ronald’s relationship with Cecile in the 1999 film.
    Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near naive

Cite this Entry

“Naive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/naive. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

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