as in naive
resembling or suggesting a child; like that of a child
a childlike honesty He had a childlike innocence that others found endearing.
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Recent Examples of childlike
Bizarrely childlike, full of wonder.
—
Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 17 Mar. 2026
Of course, animals are always a safe choice—think portraits of animals dressed as humans, forest scenes with storybook details, or simply a charming scene that evokes nostalgia and childlike wonder.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Mar. 2026
MacTaggart is part of a throng of young people who are turning to analog hobbies and activities as a means of escaping technology and reconnecting with childlike creativity and exploration.
—Kaitlyn Huamani, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
Gatwa approaches the role with a childlike wonder that’s both charming and quite fun to watch, lending the series an even more overtly playful, popcorn tone.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for childlike
Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 17 Mar. 2026
Of course, animals are always a safe choice—think portraits of animals dressed as humans, forest scenes with storybook details, or simply a charming scene that evokes nostalgia and childlike wonder.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Mar. 2026
MacTaggart is part of a throng of young people who are turning to analog hobbies and activities as a means of escaping technology and reconnecting with childlike creativity and exploration.
—Kaitlyn Huamani, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
Gatwa approaches the role with a childlike wonder that’s both charming and quite fun to watch, lending the series an even more overtly playful, popcorn tone.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for childlike
Recent Examples of Synonyms for childlike
Adjective
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There is still an almost naïve charm to how Aras speaks about hockey, his new obsession.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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Felix is not naïve about this process.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But the program was able to ascend to another level when 6-foot-7 transfer Lauren Betts arrived from Stanford as a genuine superstar who changed the way the Bruins were able to play and the way other teams had to defend them.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
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The Israeli Pavilion welcomes all who come in a genuine spirit of exchange.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Styles for men and women are available -- all with Allbirds design philosophy that's clean, modern and perfectly simple -- lightweight, bouncy and wildly comfortable.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
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On April 18, that reverence will look like music, laughter and a line of people waiting for something hot out of the fryer — a simple plate carrying stories from across the world, all landing in one place.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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According to a Chicago Blackhawks team source, those reports — that the PWHL would be coming to the Blackhawks’ facility — are not true.—
Hailey Salvian,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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In fairness to Brown, this is true.—
Brandy Jensen,
New Yorker,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Congress rarely manages to assemble bipartisan housing legislation of any real ambition, which makes the Senate’s recent passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act a remarkable feat.—
Brad Hargreaves,
Washington Post,
7 Apr. 2026
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On the weekends, there are pony rides outside the Cinema dei Piccoli, but the real highlight is the San Carlino theater on Viale dei Bambini—which literally translates to 'Kids' Street'—where there’s an ever-changing roster of Italian puppet shows.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Pristine Sprays Toilet Paper Spray is a more natural, eco-friendly alternative to wet wipes.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
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The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office has determined the cause of death to be natural.—
Jennifer Mayerle,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Knowing that Rocky’s voice would come from Grace’s unsophisticated computer setup, Ortiz gathered inspirations, at times subconsciously, from a variety of robotic sources.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
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Rock and pop are often unsophisticated, or downright dumb.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Childlike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/childlike. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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