innocence
noun
in·no·cence
ˈi-nə-sən(t)s 
1
a
: freedom from legal guilt of a particular crime or offense
b
: freedom from guilt or sin through being unacquainted with evil : blamelessness
c
: lack of knowledge : ignorance
… written in entire innocence of the Italian language.—
E. R. Bentley
E. R. Bentley
d(1)
: freedom from guile or cunning : simplicity
(2)
: lack of worldly experience or sophistication
e
: chastity
2
: one that is innocent
3
: bluet
Synonyms
Examples of innocence in a Sentence
He vows that he will prove his innocence in court.
the trusting innocence of childhood
The age of innocence was over.
Recent Examples on the Web
Teni, just 2 years old at the time, was forced to witness the appalling scene unfold through a lens of innocence.
—Kyle Eustice, SPIN, 24 Jan. 2025
Attorneys for Michael Madigan opened their final bid to persuade jurors of his innocence by hearkening back to a memorable nickname for the former speaker: the Sphinx.
—Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025
Peltier has long maintained his innocence, and his commutation has drawn fierce opposition from members of law enforcement who contend that his two consecutive life sentences are just in the fatal shootings of FBI agents Coler and Ron Williams in 1975 in South Dakota.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 22 Jan. 2025
Neither county has publicly raised the matter of the Colombians, who have insisted on their innocence.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for innocence 
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Kyle Eustice, SPIN, 24 Jan. 2025
Attorneys for Michael Madigan opened their final bid to persuade jurors of his innocence by hearkening back to a memorable nickname for the former speaker: the Sphinx.
—Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025
Peltier has long maintained his innocence, and his commutation has drawn fierce opposition from members of law enforcement who contend that his two consecutive life sentences are just in the fatal shootings of FBI agents Coler and Ron Williams in 1975 in South Dakota.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 22 Jan. 2025
Neither county has publicly raised the matter of the Colombians, who have insisted on their innocence.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for innocence
Dictionary Entries Near innocence
Cite this Entry
“Innocence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/innocence. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
innocence
noun
in·no·cence
ˈin-ə-sən(t)s
: the quality or state of being innocent
Legal Definition
innocence
noun
in·no·cence
ˈi-nə-səns
: freedom from fault or guilt under the law: as
a
: the state of not being guilty of a particular crime or offense compare guilt
b
: the state of not being guilty of an act that constitutes a ground for divorce
c
: ignorance on the part of a party to a transaction of facts that would lead a person of ordinary prudence to make inquiries
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