i
nno
cent
ly
adverb
1
without any intention of breaking the law or causing trouble
- He claimed he had acted innocently during the entire investigation.
- The child explained innocently that he had taken the toy by mistake.
- The boy innocently explained that he hadn't seen the sign.
- They were arrested even though they were behaving innocently.
- Despite the accusations, she maintained that she had innocently entered the property.
Synonyms:
2
without being responsible for what happened, yet affected by it
- He was shot while innocently walking past the building.
- The woman was innocently sitting in her living room when the window shattered.
- They were innocently crossing the street when the crash happened.
- A child was innocently playing nearby and got injured in the blast.
- Several people were innocently standing outside when the fire started.
Synonyms:
3
in a morally pure or untainted way, free from awareness of evil or wrongdoing
- The children danced innocently around the bonfire.
- She smiled innocently, not understanding the double meaning.
- They innocently played with the puppies, giggling with joy.
- He looked at her innocently, unaware of the tension in the room.
- The kids sang innocently, not knowing the sad story behind the song.
4
without intending harm or offense
- My aunt innocently asked if I had failed the course.
- He innocently repeated a joke that upset everyone.
- She innocently mentioned his ex-wife at the reunion.
- They innocently made a comment that was misunderstood.
- The child innocently asked the man why he looked so old.
Synonyms: