naivety

noun

nä-ˈē-və-tē How to pronounce naivety (audio)
variants also naïvety
Definition of naivetynext
chiefly British
as in innocence
the quality or state of being simple and sincere the contention that the royal family took advantage of the young Diana's naivety

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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 naivety Willmett and Harris are clearly uninterested in euphemisms, so there’s an exaggerated naivety to their lyrics. — Alex Robert Ross, Pitchfork, 8 June 2026 Twenty years ago, betting on New York as a serious technology hub felt contrarian to the point of naivety. — Patrick Chun, Fortune, 26 May 2026 The inherent naivety of this setup was exposed before Memorial Day. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 21 May 2026 The reality of their relationship wasn't lost on the singer, despite her naivety about their ability to last. — Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for naivety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naivety
  1. innocence
  2. naturalness
  3. simplicity
  4. sincerity
  5. ignorance
Noun
  • Statham plays a former Marine who has to prove his innocence after he’s framed for murdering his billionaire boss.
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 23 Aug. 2026
  • For her, that’s enough to fully confront Pastor Nelson after trying to get through to Guthrie about Manny’s innocence doesn’t work.
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of innocence
Noun
  • Inside the wilderness, a big part of it is to return naturalness, right?
    — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 29 July 2026
  • By the middle of the nineteenth century, the seriousness and stability of their suits suggested a new naturalness for their authority that came to seem both right and inevitable.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 June 2026
Definition of naturalness
Noun
  • Warchus adds that the production’s essential character, built on simplicity rather than spectacle, will not change with the move.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The restaurant has survived mostly by word-of-mouth, Quintana said, quite a feat in today’s restaurant landscape, and its simplicity is a stand-out feature among Kansas Citians.
    — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of simplicity
Noun
  • There’s a tonal tug-of-war in this movie between naughtiness and aching sincerity.
    — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Mitchell’s own imitation of Spielbergian life, despite its meticulous re-creation (and gleeful destruction) of eighties suburbia, stumbles into an uncanny valley between sincerity and cynicism, between unintentional comedy and deliberate homage.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of sincerity
Noun
  • Just as Fisher was able to glean something new about David Beckham through his ignorance of the England star’s football career, Macdonald got under Guardiola’s skin by using his disinterest in the sport as a superpower.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Officials say ignorance leads to hate crimes and a misunderstanding of Islam persists.
    — Carolyn Gusoff, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of ignorance

Browse Nearby Words

naïveté
naivety
naked
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Naivety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/naivety. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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