wide-eyed

adjective

ˈwīd-ˈīd How to pronounce wide-eyed (audio)
Definition of wide-eyednext
1
as in naive
lacking in worldly wisdom or informed judgment a wide-eyed and trusting child

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in susceptible
readily taken advantage of the sort of phony UFO "artifacts" that wide-eyed tourists fall for

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 wide-eyed Not my friends, who shook their heads at my schedule, wide-eyed and overwhelmed at the thought of doing it themselves. — Taylor Tomlinson, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026 Indeed, Infiniti’s wide-eyed portrait of a prodigy is equal parts inspired and frustrating. — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026 That mix of wide-eyed naïveté and pragmatic nous does seem typically American. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026 But mostly, Clancy has remained silent and wide-eyed, her gaze wandering around the courtroom as though searching for something. — Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wide-eyed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wide-eyed
  1. naive
  2. susceptible
  3. innocent
  4. easy
  5. inexperienced
  6. simple
Adjective
  • Mischa Glooshkoff, aka Michael Graves, has light brown curls, a wicked grin, and a wiry frame—perfect casting for the grand boulevardier who would lead my naïve young father astray.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
  • And how naive of me to believe that language could transcend grief.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of naive
Adjective
  • Kirshner says most units aren’t susceptible and that the issues appear quickly on units with the defect.
    — Jay Peters, The Verge, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Microwave weapons can address groups of small aircraft, interceptors can physically destroy individual threats, electronic warfare can disrupt susceptible communications, and lasers can interfere with optical sensors.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of susceptible
Adjective
  • The charges are allegations, and each person is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Convince people that an innocent person represents an existential threat, furnish them with a frightening conspiracy theory about an immoral enemy, and some may become willing to kill.
    — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of innocent
Adjective
  • Rocket is also known for its quality customer service and easy-to-use website.
    — Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Insider tip Salt Ranch is about five miles from both Lower Broad and East Nashville’s Five Points, an easy Uber ride away.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of easy
Adjective
  • Things won’t be at an elite level because this is still a young, inexperienced team.
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Under Sorrells, attorneys representing the state often rely on equally inexperienced colleagues or, in some instances, opposing counsel, for training, sources said.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of inexperienced
Adjective
  • The actor wore a long black leather coat over a simple black tank, paired with straight-leg blue jeans cinched with a leather belt.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The company played with flexible workdays instead of rigid schedules, clearer windows for collaboration, simpler rules for meetings, better ways to share and document work, and more intentional reasons for coming together in person.
    — Deborah Lovich, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of simple

Browse Nearby Words

wide-awake
wide-eyed
widely
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wide-eyed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wide-eyed. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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