variants also naivete or naiveté
1
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

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 naïveté On the contrary, the narrative voice mixes naivete and disbelief. Bartolomeo Sala, The Dial, 27 Mar. 2025 One character starts with hope and naivete, and the other with the wisdom that comes from tough, life-altering experiences. Nick Jonas, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025 Thus begins an addictive of melding personal infatuation with messy dynamics, as spirits of domination and naivete co-mingle. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 6 Mar. 2025 There’s a lot of naivete, certainly, in certain forms of popular music. Katherine Turman, SPIN, 3 Feb. 2025 Our heroes’ naivete is catching, apparently. Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 5 Jan. 2025 The fund’s appreciation of over 600% YTD raises concerns about flawed perceptions of SpaceX ownership and naivete regarding the premium to NAV. Joel Shulman, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024 Merkel also displays naivete over global warming. Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 12 Dec. 2024 Perhaps the spectacle of naivete is all part of the Altman image. Allison Morrow, CNN, 5 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naïveté
Noun
  • Bernadette Rianne off-the-shoulder taffeta gown $1,135 NET-A-PORTER This voluminous, off-the shoulder taffeta gown is out of a fairytale in the best way, the sweetness and innocence it exudes is most unique.
    Sarah Zendejas, Vogue, 6 Apr. 2025
  • He was exonerated after the Missouri Supreme Court found clear and convincing evidence of his innocence.
    Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Resembling in color a smooth pebble after heavy rains, the calfskin leather holder has but one compartment and one back pocket — taking it back to the basics and accentuating simplicity.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • That simplicity feels so apt for this show, There's enough here: The production is simple and sweet, while Jonas and Warren exude a certain magnetism.
    Shania Russell, EW.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Plus, working with a person who is trusted in their field can build a brand’s credibility and increase consumer trust.
    Jessica Wong, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • If futures trading does gain legal credibility without platforms needing to pay state taxes like sportsbooks, then sportsbook operators might simply offer futures exchanges of their own.
    Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • But the presumption of regularity is not an imperative of ignorance or a rule mandating that judges be ostriches.
    Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
  • This was the result of human ignorance, faulty assumptions, and limited evidence, much of it anecdotal.
    Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 11 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • That the leader of a notoriously cruel occupying power would have shown such compassion for a militant rebel strains credulity and defies the historical record.
    Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2025
  • The only issue is that the entire theory strains credulity.
    Andrew Leahey, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The Danish government dismissed Trump’s idea and critics mocked his supposed naivety.
    Ryan P. Burke, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Feb. 2025
  • My naivety was expunged in my first few weeks on the job post-graduation.
    Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, The Dial, 4 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Nevertheless, your natural optimism might be dimmed somewhat because there’s a lot of negative energy out there today.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2025
  • The concept itself is immediately intriguing and touching, but what really sets it over the top is its surprising optimism.
    Steve Greene, IndieWire, 12 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Naïveté.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/na%C3%AFvet%C3%A9. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

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