NAIVENESS Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

naiveness

noun

Definition of naiveness

as in naïveté

readiness to believe the claims of others without sufficient evidence I can't believe the naiveness of people who don't realize there's always some catch to so-called free offers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in naturalness

the quality or state of being simple and sincere the innate naiveness of young children is one of their most endearing qualities

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for naiveness

Noun

Both films expose the massive gullibility and brazenness in every rung of American society.

— Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 27 Oct. 2026
Beyond the mystery at the novel’s core, Candlish examines themes of #MeToo harassment, truth versus fiction in social media trends, boomerang kids, and the fine line between gullibility and trust.

— The Know, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of gullibility

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

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

Campaign finance records show Pérez — who maintains his innocence — has contributed a total of $105,000 to Salazar’s joint fundraising and leadership political committees this year, plus an additional $7,000 to her candidate committee on May 5.

— Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
The accompanying clip attached to 50’s post found Don Roberts back home sitting down and thanking 50, along with his friends and family, for believing in his innocence.

— Michael Saponara, Billboard, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of innocence

Noun

What’s worse is the scene that follows, revealing the clean-up of multiple bodies and an elaborate rewriting of the narrative that strains credulity to put it mildly, not to mention shortchanging the Mexican characters.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
The earlier series has increasingly strained credulity by having its romance plots hinge on inequalities of gender and class, but seldom of race.

— Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of credulity

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

Noun

A certain ingenuousness, an earnest impatience with the world’s many injustices, is a hallmark of Barbara Kingsolver’s novels.

— Sam Worley, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
What was once a poignant effort to extend a state of ingenuousness is now tainted from the start.

— Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 1 June 2026

Definition of ingenuousness

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.

Browse Nearby Words

naively

naiveness

naïveté

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

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Synonyms of naiveness

noun

Example Sentences

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