variants
also naivete
or naiveté
1
as in innocence
the quality or state of being simple and sincere
her naïveté led her to leave her new car unlocked while she shopped at the mall
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gullibility
readiness to believe the claims of others without sufficient evidence
though he was streetwise, the investigative reporter regularly assumed an air of naïveté when he was interviewing confidence men, charlatans, counterfeiters, and other assorted swindlers of the general public
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 naïveté
Biden’s naivete on the matter can perhaps be excused, but not Trump’s.
—
John Tamny, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Perhaps the spectacle of naivete is all part of the Altman image.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 5 Dec. 2024
So Americans who don't travel, who 80 percent don't have a passport, who are uneducated, are in their extraordinary naivete.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024
The naivete is challenging to understand when attackers use virtually every standard tool—from hardware and software to cloud resources—to conduct their operations.
—Denis Mandich, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Anderson plays Shelley with a consummate sweetness that sometimes registers as naivete.
—Esther Zuckerman, TIME, 7 Sep. 2024
That is sort of where the disappointment comes from … my naivete.
—Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 17 Sep. 2024
But for whatever naivete the interaction implies, Sweetpea is no ingénue.
—Chloe Schama, Vogue, 13 Sep. 2024
How Oz convinces others to go along with his schemes or save his skin becomes a recurring bit that would be impossible to believe if there wasn’t a real-world parallel proving just how plausible people’s heinous naivete has become.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 12 Sep. 2024
John Tamny, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Perhaps the spectacle of naivete is all part of the Altman image.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 5 Dec. 2024
So Americans who don't travel, who 80 percent don't have a passport, who are uneducated, are in their extraordinary naivete.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024
The naivete is challenging to understand when attackers use virtually every standard tool—from hardware and software to cloud resources—to conduct their operations.
—Denis Mandich, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Anderson plays Shelley with a consummate sweetness that sometimes registers as naivete.
—Esther Zuckerman, TIME, 7 Sep. 2024
That is sort of where the disappointment comes from … my naivete.
—Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 17 Sep. 2024
But for whatever naivete the interaction implies, Sweetpea is no ingénue.
—Chloe Schama, Vogue, 13 Sep. 2024
How Oz convinces others to go along with his schemes or save his skin becomes a recurring bit that would be impossible to believe if there wasn’t a real-world parallel proving just how plausible people’s heinous naivete has become.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 12 Sep. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naïveté
Noun
-
Trump, who has maintained his innocence, argued he was entitled to a new trial.Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 30 Dec. 2024
-
Trump pleaded not guilty to all charges, maintains his innocence and has accused Smith of _targeting him for political purposes.George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Secondly, the industry has perpetuated a culture that values simplicity and tradition over modernization.Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 7 Jan. 2025
-
Minimalist cocktails will remain popular, focusing on simplicity while delivering complex flavors.Amber Love Bond, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
In the case of the Peacock documentary in particular, the motivations and credibility of those being interviewed must be questioned.KC Baker, People.com, 4 Jan. 2025
-
Goss’s credibility stems from his meticulous methodology and his office’s dedication to accuracy.Teresa Ghilarducci, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Another issue may stem from simple ignorance rather than intentional judgment.Libby Ryan, Parents, 20 Dec. 2024
-
The problem with Colorado’s current poop protocol, Thomas said, isn’t ignorance.Jayme Moye, Outside Online, 19 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
Confounding elements proliferate the picture, mostly dealing with character behaviors and situations that either strain credulity (like the Santa photo-op still running past the bar’s closing time) or lead to more questions than answers.Courtney Howard, Variety, 19 Nov. 2024
-
In less assured hands, the combination of genres might have backfired terribly, but director Alan Gibson shepherds the production through its various tones without ever straining credulity in a way that impedes the entertainment value.Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 30 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
Its designers' naivety shines through clearly, and its rough edges serve as clear reminders of why today's strict formalism has taken root, especially in AAA games where too-big budgets and payrolls leave no room at all for risk.Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 27 Dec. 2024
-
There is a poignant naivety to that, even if his devotional dance soon segues into a fight — all the more dazzling, of course, for being fought and won by a man in a skirt.Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 8 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Covid and a sputtering Presidency lie behind us, a sense of national renewal and smooth economic sailing ahead; that moment of pure Americana may come as close as any to capturing the optimism of where 2024 may lead.Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024
-
One of the key reasons for the cautious optimism conservationist feel today is that many of the factors that led to the Takahe’s near-extinction have been addressed.Scott Travers, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near naïveté
Cite this Entry
“Naïveté.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/na%C3%AFvet%C3%A9. Accessed 10 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share