naïveness
Lack of cynicism
Naïveness is the quality of being naive—showing inexperience, innocence, or a lack of worldly wisdom.
The word is less common than naïveté but means the same thing: Her naïveness about office politics cost her the promotion.
It can suggest charming innocence or frustrating gullibility, depending on context.
Having youthful innocence
- guilelessFree from deceit
- artlessLacking deceit or cunning
- ingenuousInnocently frank and trusting
- unaffectedNot changed or influenced
wide-eyed · pure-hearted · uncorrupted · unspoiled · wholesome · unworldly · simple · sincere
Prone to blind trust
- trustingInclined to believe others
- unsuspectingNot anticipating danger
- gullibleEasily deceived
- deceivableAble to be tricked
exploitable · dupable · foolable · susceptible · unquestioning · overtrusting · unwary · easy mark
Color of vegetation
- unseasonedLacking flavor or experience
- callowYouthfully naive and untested
- rawIn original state
- untriedNot yet tested
unschooled · uninitiated · wet behind the ears · greenhorn · novice · fledgling · neophyte · rookie
Without protection or caution
- defenselessWithout means to resist
- unprotectedWithout safeguard or shield
- exposedOut in open
- susceptibleEasily influenced or harmed
impressionable · malleable · unshielded · at risk · prey · target · unprepared · unsuspecting
Expecting positive results
- unrealisticLacking basis in reality
- utopianImpractically perfect in conception
- starry-eyedNaively romantic or idealistic
- quixoticImpractically pursuing lofty goals
romantic · dreamy · impractical · wishful · Pollyanna · head in clouds · rose-colored · pie in sky
childlike
Having youthful innocence
unaffected · wide-eyed · pure-hearted · uncorrupted · unspoiled · wholesome · unworldly · simple · sincere · trusting
credulous
Prone to blind trust
- trustingInclined to believe others
- unsuspectingNot anticipating danger
- gullibleEasily deceived
deceivable · exploitable · dupable · foolable · susceptible · unquestioning · overtrusting · unwary · easy mark · sucker
green
Color of vegetation
- unseasonedLacking flavor or experience
- callowYouthfully naive and untested
- rawIn original state
untried · unschooled · uninitiated · wet behind the ears · greenhorn · novice · fledgling · neophyte · rookie · tenderfoot
unguarded
Without protection or caution
- defenselessWithout means to resist
- unprotectedWithout safeguard or shield
- exposedOut in open
susceptible · impressionable · malleable · unshielded · at risk · prey · target · unprepared · unsuspecting · unaware
optimistic
Expecting positive results
- unrealisticLacking basis in reality
- utopianImpractically perfect in conception
- starry-eyedNaively romantic or idealistic
quixotic · romantic · dreamy · impractical · wishful · Pollyanna · head in clouds · rose-colored · pie in sky · castle in air
naïvenessworldliness
Secular, experienced outlook
sophistication · experience · worldly wisdom · street smarts · savviness
naïvenesssophistication
Cultured elegance and complexity
astuteness · shrewdness · perceptiveness · acumen · discernment
naïvenesscynicism
Distrust of human sincerity
skepticism · wariness · suspiciousness · distrust · guardedness
naïve, naive, naively, naïvely, naivete, naïveté, naivety, naiveness, nativity