naïveté

noun

nä-ˌēv-ˈtā How to pronounce naïveté (audio)
variants also naivete or naiveté
Definition of naïveténext
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

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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

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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naïveté
  1. innocence
  2. simplicity
  3. credibility
  4. ignorance
  5. credulity
  6. naivety
  7. optimism
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
Definition of innocence
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
Definition of simplicity
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of credibility
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
Definition of ignorance
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
Definition of credulity
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
Definition of naivety
Noun
  • Shapiro even alluded to that fact when explaining his optimism that a deal will get done.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Latin American consumers, despite their optimism, demand transparency around data use, with 71% citing privacy concerns.
    — Blake Morgan, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of optimism

Browse Nearby Words

naiveness
naïveté
naivety
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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 17 Apr. 2025.

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