Ingenuous (Adjective)
Meaning 1
Lacking in sophistication or worldliness; "a child's innocent stare"; "his ingenuous explanation that he would not have burned the church if he had not thought the bishop was in it".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Synonyms
Related Words
Meaning 2
Characterized by an inability to mask your feelings; not devious; "an ingenuous admission of responsibility".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The ingenuous expression on his face made it clear he was telling the truth.
- Her ingenuous apology was unexpected, given the circumstances.
- It was refreshing to see such an ingenuous expression of gratitude from the winner.
- The child's ingenuous question caught the politician off guard, and he stumbled to respond.
- The company's ingenuous apology for the data breach was seen as a positive step towards regaining public trust.