naiveté

[ nah-eev-tey, -ee-vuh-tey, -eev-tey, -ee-vuh- ]

/ nɑ ivˈteɪ, -ˌi vəˈteɪ, -ˈiv teɪ, -ˈi və- /

the quality or state of being naive; natural or artless simplicity.

a naive action, remark, etc.

Origin of naiveté

1665–75; < French; see naive, ity2

Charges of naivete, cluelessness, and “nonsense demagoguery” were hurled back and forth.

On CPAC Day 2, the Libertarian Wing Takes Over |Michelle Cottle |March 8, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Our naivete would soon force me to make a decision that would tip the balance of the campaign.

Life After AIPAC's False Dichotomies |Angela Zimmann |September 4, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
In our naivete, we sometimes go rushing in where angels fear to tread.

Life After AIPAC's False Dichotomies |Angela Zimmann |September 4, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
The program began to teeter under the weight of its own outsized expectations, questionable staffing decisions, and naivete.

Send in the Marines—and the Anthropologists too? |John Kael Weston |August 23, 2013 |DAILY BEAST

At times the optimism bordered on naivete, suggesting possible conflicts down the road.

The Rebel Freshmen |Benjamin Sarlin |November 15, 2010 |DAILY BEAST
"And he'll walk before me," responded Theodose with a naivete that touched the old maid.

The Lesser Bourgeoisie |Honore de Balzac
Aladdin, talking eagerly and with the naivete of a child, wondered why he had never liked this man so much before.

Aladdin O'Brien |Gouverneur Morris
All this she said with a charming air of naivete which enraptured while it grieved and convinced me.

The Works of Edgar Allan Poe |Edgar Allan Poe
His naivete and innocence had been abused; and abominable things had gone on under his roof without his knowledge.

The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete |Emile Zola
But all he said was so prettily sedate, and the naivete of his youthful egotism was so obvious, that he disarmed his hearers.

War and Peace |Leo Tolstoy