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
The ensuing power struggle between Woody and Buzz threatens to put their owner’s childish things away forever in Pixar’s debut feature.
—
Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Dec. 2025
My coworker said vanilla is childish.
—Jessika Hardy, Refinery29, 22 Dec. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for childish
Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Dec. 2025
My coworker said vanilla is childish.
—Jessika Hardy, Refinery29, 22 Dec. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for childish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for childish
Adjective
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The film’s vintage patina doesn’t detract from rising actor Will Price’s confident performance as an immature mobster who prefers bitcoin to stacks of Benjamins.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Unlike older drugs, this formula safely accounts for a baby’s immature metabolism.—
Kwesi Akonu Adom Mensah Forson,
The Conversation,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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With a biting script by Tina Fey, the film fearlessly explores the dark side of the early aughts adolescent social scene.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Feb. 2026
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The teen recently spent a day at a major tech company that is working to shape the future of adolescent technology.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The outreach has to happen prior to these type of juvenile antics.—
Bill Barrow,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
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In October, a juvenile wolf from the Beyem Seyo pack in Sierra County was shot to death by a CDFW officer who mistook it for one of three adult animals that had been preying on cattle from local ranches.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Childish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/childish. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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