as in immature
having or showing the annoying qualities (as silliness) associated with children
you almost spoiled the ceremony for everyone with your childish giggling
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of childish
Pete Hegseth was, as ever, a childish clown (this time with literary references).
—
Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 15 Dec. 2025
Her time in Congress has been marked by deeply unserious public statements, little to no actual work for her constituents, and over-the-top rhetoric and childish insults.
—Jack Fink, CBS News, 13 Dec. 2025
Food, Drink, and Consumable Gifts Under $50 An actually adorable (but not childish) lunch container.
—The Editors, Outside, 12 Dec. 2025
Smears, lies, attacks, and name calling is childish behavior, divisive, and bad for our country.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for childish
Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 15 Dec. 2025
Her time in Congress has been marked by deeply unserious public statements, little to no actual work for her constituents, and over-the-top rhetoric and childish insults.
—Jack Fink, CBS News, 13 Dec. 2025
Food, Drink, and Consumable Gifts Under $50 An actually adorable (but not childish) lunch container.
—The Editors, Outside, 12 Dec. 2025
Smears, lies, attacks, and name calling is childish behavior, divisive, and bad for our country.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for childish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for childish
Adjective
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Unlike older drugs, this formula safely accounts for a baby’s immature metabolism.—
Kwesi Akonu Adom Mensah Forson,
The Conversation,
26 Jan. 2026
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This is really a way to tell the story from a much more immature point of view.—
Joe Lynch,
Billboard,
26 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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Court documents in the federal prosecution of the employee, Jacob Melvin Hart, indicate there could be more juvenile victims from Crossline Community Church.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
24 Jan. 2026
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In 2021, Colvin successfully petitioned to have her juvenile arrest record expunged.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Childish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/childish. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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