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
Any version of art for art’s sake has always seemed a little childish to me, a bit of adolescent posturing (the phrase was apparently especially beloved by members of the 19th century Aesthetic Movement, one of the high points of a certain kind of brattiness).
—
Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
Very unprofessional and very very childish.
—Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer referred to an earlier video, also featuring Jeffries in a sombrero, as childish and evidence that the White House and the GOP were unserious about the shutdown.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2025
Because, really, that childish interaction is based in love, right?
—Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for childish
Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
Very unprofessional and very very childish.
—Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer referred to an earlier video, also featuring Jeffries in a sombrero, as childish and evidence that the White House and the GOP were unserious about the shutdown.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2025
Because, really, that childish interaction is based in love, right?
—Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for childish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for childish
Adjective
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After potting, pick off any flowers or immature fruit.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Nov. 2025
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Move over manchildren, there are some women who would like to take your immature crown.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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No adolescent defiance or child’s anguish was visible on his face now.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
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Read more about the adolescent biology of sleep patterns.—
NPR,
NPR,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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According to her campaign website, her priorities include protecting parks, transit services, aging and disability services and veterans programs, as well as pursuing criminal justice and juvenile correction reform.—
Claudia Levens,
jsonline.com,
6 Jan. 2026
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As of Monday, the juvenile victim was in the hospital and still receiving medical treatment for their injuries.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Childish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/childish. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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