innocence

noun

ˈi-nə-sən(t)s How to pronounce innocence (audio)
Definition of innocencenext
1
as in innocency
the quality or state of being free from guilt or blame the accused embezzler eventually proved her innocence and was released

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2
as in naturalness
the quality or state of being simple and sincere the innocence of the child's question touched everyone present

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3
as in ignorance
the state of being unaware or uninformed in my innocence I just assumed that quoted rate was for a week's stay and not for a single night at the health spa

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4
as in purity
the quality or state of being morally pure in Melville's novel, the sailor Billy Budd serves as a symbol of absolute innocence

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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 innocence Johnson, who has long maintained his innocence, was convicted in the 1995 murder of Jefferson County Deputy Sheriff William Hardy. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026 The joy and innocence that greeted students and teachers on their return to school in early September has been lost, replaced by a somber and quiet aura. — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026 Did Murphy decide for himself whether Rauri is to be believed about his innocence during the incident? — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026 Holmes, the former founder of Theranos who was found guilty on four counts of fraud in 2022 and who insists on her innocence throughout the documentary, begins her 11-year sentence in a federal prison in Texas. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for innocence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for innocence
  1. purity
  2. naturalness
  3. ignorance
  4. simplicity
  5. sincerity
Noun
  • The nod to purity emphasized the paint brand’s relationship to cleanliness and virtue, and possibly other notions of bigotry.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
  • At the same time, brands such as Bottega Veneta offered a more discreet form of luxury rooted in purity of design and craftsmanship.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of purity
Noun
  • Beauty, grace, freshness, naturalness, youth—all qualities which women have so often been reduced to.
    — Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The young actors are appealing, led by Lilah Pate and Chabley Ponce; there’s a sweetness and naturalness to their cameraderie that stands out amid so much mugging and gives the film a lift.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of naturalness
Noun
  • Macca shot back as Poehler feigned ignorance and let out a laugh.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026
  • But disagreement does not necessarily mean that one side possesses wisdom while the other possesses ignorance or evil.
    — Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of ignorance
Noun
  • Satin finish, soft glow Much like the origins of the mochi skin concept, the mochi skin aesthetic is rooted in the Japanese approach to beauty, where simplicity and radiance take center stage.
    — Jeanne Ballion, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026
  • That process has been in place for over three decades, and Brazilians have become accustomed to its speed, simplicity, accuracy and routine.
    — Solly Boussidan, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of simplicity
Noun
  • The show sought to expand norms of representation—a project whose sincerity all but courts the cringeworthy—with artists hell-bent on deconstructing the drive for beauty, including Orlan, Sara Cwynar, Juno Calypso, and Haley Morris-Cafiero.
    — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Still, the sincerity matters, and so does the achievement of realizing something this strange with such conviction.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of sincerity

Browse Nearby Words

innkeepers
innocence
innocency
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Cite this Entry

“Innocence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/innocence. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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