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 Is there intimidation, naivete, fear of being alone? Ew Staff, EW.com, 24 Apr. 2025 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naïveté
Noun
  • The Tates have promised to fight the charges in Britain and Romania, publicly declaring their intent to prove their innocence in both jurisdictions.
    Willem Marx, NPR, 28 May 2025
  • The couple has maintained their innocence and filed appeals seeking a new trial.
    Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 27 May 2025
Noun
  • Listen to this article MIAMI — The Miami Heat’s approach to free agency last summer was simplicity, that Jimmy Butler would return hungry for an extension, the core would meet Pat Riley’s mandate of elevated attendance, Jaime Jaquez Jr. would make sophomore strides.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 30 May 2025
  • Bronwen Sciortino, author & simplicity expert teaching easy ways to tailor-make healthy, happy & highly successful lives.
    Bronwen Sciortino, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Noun
  • The Referral Service Advantage While certified lawyer referral services don’t provide SEO backlinks, joining a California Bar-Certified Lawyer Referral Service can greatly enhance an attorney’s credibility and build trust with clients who value vetted, unbiased legal guidance.
    JC Serrano, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • In an era where anyone can generate a realistic video of anything for $1.50, the credibility of the source becomes our primary anchor to truth.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • Provider ignorance is a common reason for delayed diagnosis in the Black community; many doctors just aren't taught about Black skin pigment or skin barriers.
    Raelle Kennedy, Health, 12 May 2025
  • Rather than attempt a feeble defense of himself, Nick attacks June for the same willful ignorance her mother accused her of in Alaska.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 May 2025
Noun
  • The plot beats that follow Dante’s death strain credulity past its breaking point, and the fun quickly wears thin.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 2 May 2025
  • 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
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
  • On Tuesday, signs of that optimism finally began to appear.
    Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025
  • Even among Democrats, only about a third expressed any optimism for their party.
    Susan Page, USA Today, 20 May 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 3 Jun. 2025.

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