guileless

adjective

ˈgī(-ə)l-ləs How to pronounce guileless (audio)
Definition of guilelessnext
as in unaffected
free from any intent to deceive or impress others she was an easygoing, guileless young woman who was comfortable just being herself

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 guileless Five goals down at half-time, the Azerbaijani champions were hapless and guileless, incapable of delaying or deflecting Gordon’s acceleration and utterly without attacking merit until the game was yanked far beyond them. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026 The child is as smart and cunning as Dunk is thick and guileless. — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026 Ardies plays Hulda, a guileless girl, full of excitement at the prospect of womanhood. — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 6 Dec. 2025 The key for all these people has been a great smile — broad, toothy, guileless — to emphasize the schism between the Others’ experience of togetherness and Carol’s deepening loneliness. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for guileless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guileless
  1. unaffected
  2. genuine
  3. honest
  4. innocent
  5. simple
  6. true
  7. naive
Adjective
  • The same statement also said that construction and installation at facilities unaffected by the fire would continue as normal and that air quality was being continuously monitored.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The rest of the facility was unaffected with no other injuries reported, according to hospital officials and witnesses.
    — Munir Ahmed, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of unaffected
Adjective
  • In the artists who are asking that people leave their phones at home or in their pockets at concerts, in the genuine concern over whether younger generations are going to be able to read like older generations.
    — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
  • No government has publicly disclosed how many were judged genuine.
    — Charles Edward Gehrke, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of genuine
Adjective
  • April 20 – May 20 A plan with friends may work better with a little honest adjusting.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Taurus April 20 – May 20 A plan with friends may work better with a little honest adjusting.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of honest
Adjective
  • Other officers helped the innocent driver walk to a nearby gas station.
    — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
    — ByTony Atkins, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of innocent
Adjective
  • Waist circumference is one simple way to estimate visceral fat.
    — Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
  • From a straightforward season-long points race to giving the points leader a cushion on the leaderboard, and now the simple format of awarding the FedEx Cup to the winner of the Tour Championship, the postseason has long needed a boost.
    — Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of simple
Adjective
  • The true main event will pit top AEW star Mercedes Mone against Willow Nightingale in yet another women’s world title match that will not go on last.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Unlocking the true nature of dark energy and dark matter could help astronomers understand what the universe is made of, how its expansion has changed over time, and if there is more to understanding gravity than meets the eye.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of true
Adjective
  • Only the most naïve of lawmakers believe there won’t be consequences to taxpayers that will lead to their constituents paying more taxes.
    — Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Unauthorized sequels reveal the extremes of why people make movies in the first place, from purely cynical money grabs to pure — even naive — devotion to characters and their world.
    — Katie Rife, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of naive

Browse Nearby Words

guilefulness
guileless
guilelessly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Guileless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guileless. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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