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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Recent Examples of childish
Coupled with his hateful rhetoric, threats, lies, erratic policies, trampling of the Constitution and abnormal fascination with childish superlatives, tyrannical figures and Soviet-era style military parades, there’s much to be concerned about.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2025
There is, equally, a certain childish hope that Vuong’s reader will approach him with the benevolent incomprehension of a maternal figure.
—Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 6 May 2025
Yes, there may have been some childish instinct to defend Twain.
—John Jeremiah Sullivan, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
The angular clock hands and classic-leaning clock face protect this personality piece from becoming gimmicky or childish, and instead remaining sophisticated and tasteful.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for childish
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2025
There is, equally, a certain childish hope that Vuong’s reader will approach him with the benevolent incomprehension of a maternal figure.
—Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 6 May 2025
Yes, there may have been some childish instinct to defend Twain.
—John Jeremiah Sullivan, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
The angular clock hands and classic-leaning clock face protect this personality piece from becoming gimmicky or childish, and instead remaining sophisticated and tasteful.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for childish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for childish
Adjective
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Manipulative or emotionally immature individuals end up exploiting this belief with ease.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
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Nikki, who can be messy and loud and immature, doesn’t always handle that intensity with grace.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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Nothing rings more true than the trope of the restless adolescent.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
People.com,
7 June 2025
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Dilly Dally, an adolescent loggerhead, first arrived at the LMC back in January after being attacked by a predator.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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From working in the kitchen at juvenile detention to enrolling in culinary school between prison stints, Carter knew his passion could become his purpose.—
Kizzy Cox,
Essence,
4 June 2025
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Bean, 84, has been superintendent of the juvenile detention center since 1972.—
Paige Pfleger,
ProPublica,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Childish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/childish. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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