Skip to main content
ingenuously

ingenuously

1 7.7
In an open and honest way that shows no hidden plan
  • adverb
  • /ɪnˈdʒɛnjuəsli/
translation icon : ingenuamente
  • The child told the story of his adventure ingenuously, capturing everyone's attention with his honesty.

The cruder is the appearance of this contest, which is either only for consciousness, or only ingenuously expressed by it.

Examples

  • During the interview, he responded to the questions ingenuously, revealing his true feelings without any pretense.

  • She smiled at the audience and asked her question ingenuously, not trying to hide her curiosity.

  • "The real estate agent was right there in the kitchen," he said ingenuously.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • "Valentine's Day is coming up," he said ingenuously.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • The world of intrigue was new and exciting to him; his assignment from Essex, he had said ingenuously, was his first.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • "Do you not find that surprising, Mr. Pryce?" Pitt asked as ingenuously as he could.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • "Christian said earnestly and a little ingenuously, "I am really astonished by the figures in the statistical report I showed you.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • And there they were, smiling ingenuously for the photographer, all frosty lips and big hair and bare shoulders.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • How are you?" Kathleen O'Neil had little alternative but to accept the introduction so ingenuously required, but she showed no disinclination.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • She watches him with a cool, detached gaze as he fumbles ingenuously.

    Fiction book (1993)

Synonyms

openly
vsingenuously
303 1.6

To say or do things without hiding feelings

pairs that public frankness with harmless naivety and honesty
genuinely
vsingenuously
216 2.5

In a real and honest way, not pretending

adds open, harmless naivety and trust to that realness
honestly
vsingenuously
182 1.3

In a truthful way that shows you mean what you say

includes truthfulness but also implies harmless naivety and openness
sincerely
vsingenuously
152 1.0

In a way that shows true feelings without pretending

combines that true feeling with harmless openness and trust
directly
vsingenuously
88 1.4

In a clear honest way, saying what you think

adds naive openness and trustworthiness beyond plain directness
wholeheartedly
vsingenuously
57 4.6

Completely and sincerely, with full support and no doubts

leans toward innocent openness rather than intense personal commitment
outright
vsingenuously
36 4.3

Directly and openly, without hiding or delay

adds trusting, naive openness to that plain directness
innocently
vsingenuously
28 2.6

In a way that shows no guilt or knowledge of something wrong

stresses open honesty and harmless naivety rather than mere guiltlessness
candidly
vsingenuously
28 4.1

In an honest, direct way without hiding your true thoughts

is less about frankness and more about harmless naive openness
earnestly
vsingenuously
20 3.9

In a serious and honest way that shows a strong wish

is less about seriousness and more about innocent open trust
forthrightly
vsingenuously
7 6.7

In a direct and honest way without hiding anything

is more about innocent openness and lack of guile than bluntness
guilelessly
vsingenuously
1 7.4

In a way that shows someone is honest and does not try to trick people

emphasizes open honesty alongside harmless naivety
artlessly
vsingenuously
1 6.7

In a simple honest way without trying to hide feelings

adds clear, honest openness rather than mere simplicity
unartfully
vsingenuously
7.2

In a simple, honest way without trying to impress

expresses frank honesty and naive openness, not only plainness
unaffectedly
vsingenuously
6.1

In a natural, honest way without pretending or showing off

combines that natural sincerity with harmless naivety
unfeignedly
vsingenuously
  • Archaic
9.5

In a sincere and honest way that shows true feeling

adds open trust and harmless naivety to that genuineness
outrightly
vsingenuously
6.0

In a complete and direct way, without any doubt

combines that total directness with harmless naive trust
heartfully
vsingenuously
6.5

In a warm, honest way that shows real feeling

focuses more on open, harmless honesty than strong feeling

Antonyms

1 4.5

To say or do something without meaning it

1 6.3

In a way that tries to trick someone

How Ingenuous

naively
13 4.4
ingenuously
1 7.7
openly
303 1.6

Surface Forms

ingenuously positive

Morphology

ingenuously = ingenuous (transparent) = ingenuous + ly

Regular adverbial formation from the adjective 'ingenuous' with no change in core meaning.

Etymology

The word ingenuously comes from the old Latin word ingenuus, meaning 'born free' and 'honest', and it is the same root as ingenuous. So, to act ingenuously is to behave 'open', 'honest', and 'innocent'.