variants
or naïve
naiver; naivest
1
2
b
: not previously subjected to experimentation or a particular experimental situation
made the test with naive rats
also
: not having previously used a particular drug (such as marijuana)
c
: not having been exposed previously to an antigen
naive T cells
3
a
b
: produced by or as if by a self-taught artist
naive murals
naively
adverb
or naïvely
naiveness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of naive in a Sentence
Secularism requires a commitment to civil liberty, which rests partly on respect for civil disobedience—peaceful acts of conscience that challenge rules of law. If civil libertarianism is naïve, then so is the hope of secular government.
—
Wendy Kaminer, Free Inquiry, December 2008/January 2009
He exhibits a naïve sort of confidence when talking about the doubts surrounding him and the perceived slights in the draft run-up.
—Peter King, Sports Illustrated, 1 May 2006
His crimes were described as mere bumps in the road, minor offenses committed by a man-boy described as innocent, naïve, trusting, a simple country boy who got lost in airports and was astonished to find out that he could order a pizza over the phone.
—Pat Jordan, Harper's, October 2004
a naive belief that all people are good
a naive view of the world
She asked a lot of naive questions.
I was young and naive at the time, and I didn't think anything bad could happen to me.
The plan seems a little naive.
If you're naive enough to believe him, you'll believe anyone.
Wendy Kaminer, Free Inquiry, December 2008/January 2009
He exhibits a naïve sort of confidence when talking about the doubts surrounding him and the perceived slights in the draft run-up.
—Peter King, Sports Illustrated, 1 May 2006
His crimes were described as mere bumps in the road, minor offenses committed by a man-boy described as innocent, naïve, trusting, a simple country boy who got lost in airports and was astonished to find out that he could order a pizza over the phone.
—Pat Jordan, Harper's, October 2004
a naive belief that all people are good
a naive view of the world
She asked a lot of naive questions.
I was young and naive at the time, and I didn't think anything bad could happen to me.
The plan seems a little naive.
If you're naive enough to believe him, you'll believe anyone.
Recent Examples on the Web
Dimon went on to say that the United States needed to avoid being naive and allowing larger global events to play out without any intervention.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
In a bloody good mix of horror comedy and murder mystery, Sam Richardson plays a naive but good-hearted forest ranger new to a small Vermont town out to catch a killer (who may or may not be a werewolf) among the various kooky residents.
55.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024
Solomon might have thought Yoshii had cut ties with the yakuza world for good, but Sugihara warns him not to be so naive.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2024
The club has maintained the naive belief that faith in the coach will deliver stability rather than the truth that modern football institutions establish lasting success by building a long-term strategy that is separate from the manager at the helm.
—Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for naive 
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.
Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
In a bloody good mix of horror comedy and murder mystery, Sam Richardson plays a naive but good-hearted forest ranger new to a small Vermont town out to catch a killer (who may or may not be a werewolf) among the various kooky residents.
55.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024
Solomon might have thought Yoshii had cut ties with the yakuza world for good, but Sugihara warns him not to be so naive.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2024
The club has maintained the naive belief that faith in the coach will deliver stability rather than the truth that modern football institutions establish lasting success by building a long-term strategy that is separate from the manager at the helm.
—Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for naive
Dictionary Entries Near naive
Cite this Entry
“Naive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/naive. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Etymology
from French naïve "having a natural simplicity and honesty," from early French naïf "being part of the nature of a person from birth, native, inborn," from Latin nativus "native," from natus, past participle of nasci "to be born" — related to native
Medical Definition
naive
adjective
na·ive
variants
or naïve
naiver; naivest
1
: not previously subjected to experimentation or a particular experimental situation
naive laboratory rats
2
: not having previously used a particular drug (as marijuana)
3
: not having been exposed previously to an antigen
a naive immune system
naive T cells
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share