child

noun

ˈchī(-ə)ld How to pronounce child (audio)
Definition of childnext
1
as in kid
a young person who is between infancy and adulthood an imaginative animated film that appeals to adults as well as to children

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in baby
a recently born person wrapped the child in a blanket before taking him outside in the cold

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in outcome
a condition or occurrence traceable to a cause widespread stress is the child of the frenetic pace of the modern world

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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 child As Brown’s children became involved in sports and other activities in a larger city about 25 to 30 minutes away, the long drive began to take its toll. — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026 This became an all out crisis when almost 50,000 migrant children unexpectedly arrived in our public schools in 2023 and 2024, and many schools lacked staff who could communicate with these children. — Lincoln Restler, New York Daily News, 18 July 2026 The data released by DCF this week shows that there are many other child deaths that have escaped public view over the last year and a half. — Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026 Several early studies indicate that social media use and account ownership among Australian children under 16 declined between 9% and 40%. — Ravi Iyer, Time, 18 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for child
Recent Examples of Synonyms for child
  1. kid
  2. baby
  3. outcome
  4. infant
  5. result
  6. toddler
  7. resultant
  8. boy
Noun
  • For older kids who have trouble adjusting to the demands on the school year, plenty of time to wind down after school and a predictable morning routine are key.
    — Parents, Parents, 17 July 2026
  • That said, this probably won’t be even faintly legible on a home entertainment system, let alone the handheld gadgets that kids like the ones seen here prefer to watch entertainment on these days.
    — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 17 July 2026
Definition of kid
Noun
  • If the baby continues crying even after the bassinet reaches its highest soothing setting, parents receive an alert through the mobile app.
    — Roni Robbins, AJC.com, 20 July 2026
  • The prosecution also presented photos of the baby after it was found, lying on an autopsy table.
    — Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026
Definition of baby
Noun
  • This area was the same stretch that saw the first two full I-285 blockages, so drivers had a grip on what the outcome could be.
    — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 19 July 2026
  • The idea that his legacy should hinge on the outcome of one game — let alone a game settled on a penalty shootout — was the 1,003rd game of his career for club and country.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 19 July 2026
Definition of outcome
Noun
  • On infant formula, Makary convened the world’s leading experts to modernize and expand the ingredient lists—called monographs—that the agency uses to regulate the products.
    — Avik Roy, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • One reason for the decrease may be that parents have substantial control over what infants and toddlers eat.
    — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of infant
Noun
  • The search result will show the surgeon’s certification status, including whether their license is active, suspended or revoked.
    — Ella Moore July 23, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026
  • Friends of Big Bear Valley reported that the Ojai Raptor Center — where Jackie is receiving care — was unsure what was causing the symptoms as of Tuesday afternoon, and were waiting on test results for possible lead, zinc or rodenticide exposure.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of result
Noun
  • In toddlers and young children, drowning is the most common cause of death, surpassing birth defects.
    — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • The toddler plummeted from the rear window of the building on Oak Terrace near Beekman Ave.
    — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 18 July 2026
Definition of toddler
Noun
  • The resultant sonic boom shock waves frequently shattered windows, cracked building walls, and unnerved citizens within earshot.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 July 2026
  • Justices Thomas and Jackson focused in part on the court’s notorious 1857 decision called Dred Scott, which ruled a slave couldn’t be a citizen or claim the resultant rights and privileges.
    — Chris Kenning, USA Today, 30 June 2026
Definition of resultant
Noun
  • Among the traditions preserved by the Gion Matsuri is the choosing of a boy as a sacred messenger to the gods.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
  • Soccer destiny then deemed that her baby boy, who would become a star for Barcelona some 15 years later, was paired up with the Argentine who would become one of the greatest of all time.
    — Joseph Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026
Definition of boy

Phrases Containing child

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chignons
child
child's play
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Cite this Entry

“Child.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/child. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on child

Nglish: Translation of child for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about child

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