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
The popular Bandai Namco childlike-horror franchise Little Nightmares is back and with more disturbances in tow.
—
Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
Sprinkled with laughter and childlike energy, this debate explores the pros and cons of both worlds.
—Jordan Owens, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025
Walter, the friendlier, less independent production-model variant of David, also played by Michael Fassbender, is the first of our mid-list trio of droids who keep the jittery, fragile humans around them at ease by being childlike.
—Chris Klimek, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Kimberly Weinberger stars as Connie, a cautious, mildly depressive woman in a dead-end relationship with an older man, and Alex Chernow plays Tristan, a fiery, almost childlike loner with secrets.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for childlike
Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
Sprinkled with laughter and childlike energy, this debate explores the pros and cons of both worlds.
—Jordan Owens, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025
Walter, the friendlier, less independent production-model variant of David, also played by Michael Fassbender, is the first of our mid-list trio of droids who keep the jittery, fragile humans around them at ease by being childlike.
—Chris Klimek, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Kimberly Weinberger stars as Connie, a cautious, mildly depressive woman in a dead-end relationship with an older man, and Alex Chernow plays Tristan, a fiery, almost childlike loner with secrets.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for childlike
Recent Examples of Synonyms for childlike
Adjective
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But anyone imagining that this problem will be resolved by taking games beyond international borders is extremely naive.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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In contrast, the late-’90s and early-2000s pop culture era—glittery, naive, and commercially loud—feels like an antidote to endless doom-scrolling.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The new currency is content, education and genuine engagement.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
28 Oct. 2025
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Employees should use those channels first and consider a public callout only as a genuine last resort.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr,
USA Today,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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While House Republicans can pass legislation with a simple majority vote, Senate Republicans cannot advance most matters without meeting a 60-vote threshold.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Oct. 2025
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But in stoppage time, Miami was gifted a third goal when Jordi Alba crossed from the left and keeper Willis, colliding with defender Walker Zimmerman, spilled the ball right to Messi, who had the simplest of tap-ins.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In my experience, this is especially true in the lonely hours of the night while struggling with chronic pain.—
Joni Eareckson Tada,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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For most Galatasaray supporters, domestic titles were never the true measure of success; Europe was.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Sometimes, though, the homeowners and their stories are truly the real treasure.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
23 Oct. 2025
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The film, which includes the real audio of Hind Rajab before her death, has attracted several high-profile supporters, including Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara, Alfonso Cuaron, and Jonathan Glazer.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This groundbreaking method could transform the way researchers study complex diseases, including cancer, without disrupting natural cellular processes.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
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The large-mouthed sharks end up hoovering in some of this natural debris.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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For Candy, getting to play the unsophisticated traveling salesman, a big man like himself, gave him an opportunity to showcase both his flair for broad comedy and, for the first time onscreen, his innate vulnerability.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
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And there’s been this story that retail investors are unsophisticated.—
Fortune Editors,
Fortune,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Childlike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/childlike. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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