Antonyms for ingenuous

Grammar : Adj

Spell : in-jen-yoo-uhs

Phonetic Transcription : ɪnˈdʒɛn yu əs

Definition of ingenuous

Origin : 1590s, "noble in nature," from Latin ingenuus "with the virtues of freeborn people, of noble character, frank, upright, candid," originally "native, freeborn," from in- "in" (see in- (2)) + gen-, root of gignere "beget, produce" (see genus). Sense of "artless, innocent" is 1670s, via evolution from "high-minded" to "honorably open, straightforward," to "innocently frank." Related: Ingenuously; ingenuousness.

adj honest, trustful

Example sentences :

Without knowing why, they understood perfectly now that neither had been ingenuous.
Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson

Somehow, the inflection on the last word did not altogether suggest the ingenuous.
Extract from : « Within the Law » by Marvin Dana

It was ingenuous and brave; born of a proud and great purity.
Extract from : « The Dream » by Emile Zola

He trembled before this innocence, so ardent and so ingenuous.
Extract from : « The Dream » by Emile Zola

He was, however, anticipated by the voice of the ingenuous and youthful Alice.
Extract from : « The Last of the Mohicans » by James Fenimore Cooper

Her ingenuous innocence did not conceal her gladness at seeing me!
Extract from : « Alice, or The Mysteries, Complete » by Edward Bulwer-Lytton

I cannot boast of Mr. Creech's ingenuous fair dealing to me.
Extract from : « The Letters of Robert Burns » by Robert Burns

Imogen stood for a moment in a sweet and ingenuous state of suspense.
Extract from : « Imogen » by William Godwin

Thy heart is ingenuous and sincere; thy misfortune is poignant and affecting.
Extract from : « Imogen » by William Godwin

He possessed a soul brave, liberal, enlightened, and ingenuous.
Extract from : « Beaux and Belles of England » by Mary Robinson

Synonyms for ingenuous

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019