as in inexperienced
lacking in adult experience or maturity
a story about a callow youth who learns the value of hard work and self-reliance
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of callow
The two performers effortlessly convey their characters’ callow charm, and there’s a disarming lack of to-do in the way Uttapa, at the center of the story, rides its tonal shifts as Olmo faces moments of awakening, both sublime and potentially shattering.
—
Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Feb. 2025
The callow roster is rapidly developing, and the wins are starting to come.
—Tony Jones, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
In discerning and grooming the callow and shallow Donald, Roy picks up on his starrily megawatt personality, likening him to Robert Redford.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2024
For me, DiCaprio, now pushing 50, nevertheless almost always seems too callow, too green, for the roles he’s called upon to play, especially in his many Scorsese films.
—Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct. 2023
See All Example Sentences for callow
Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Feb. 2025
The callow roster is rapidly developing, and the wins are starting to come.
—Tony Jones, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
In discerning and grooming the callow and shallow Donald, Roy picks up on his starrily megawatt personality, likening him to Robert Redford.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2024
For me, DiCaprio, now pushing 50, nevertheless almost always seems too callow, too green, for the roles he’s called upon to play, especially in his many Scorsese films.
—Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct. 2023
See All Example Sentences for callow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for callow
Adjective
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Local officials have grown increasingly wary of unprepared and inexperienced hikers setting out on some of the toughest peaks during perilous conditions.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
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Ryan, in his first season as the Trojans’ linebackers coach, was dealt a tough hand of mostly young, inexperienced players.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Quantum computing remains a fragmented and immature market, UBS analysts led by Madeleine Jenkins wrote in a 103-page report to clients on Monday.—
Pia Singh,
CNBC,
19 Jan. 2026
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The challenge for governments, in Burt’s view, is engaging with crypto without rushing immature frameworks or attempting to dictate outcomes in a fast-moving industry.—
Anastasia Chernikova,
Forbes.com,
18 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced major changes to its childhood and adolescent immunization schedule, an age-by-age guide for health care providers on when to vaccinate children to protect them from preventable diseases.—
Liz Regalia,
Parents,
8 Jan. 2026
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The show channels a certain energetic, zany sense of humor viewers could recognize from their own adolescent friendships and antics, culminating in a five-season run and a 2021–2023 revival on Paramount+.—
Will Harris,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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On the medal, the Virgil inscription surrounds a young man sitting under a laurel tree, listening to the Muse, and writing down her song.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
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Once in college, barriers to gaining meaningful work experience persist for young people.—
Brandon Busteed,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Callow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/callow. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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