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
And as for the showstopping pelican, the frog erupts out of its beak right on cue, a moment that indeed inspires a round of laughter and childlike awe.
—
Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026
Now readying himself to attend Cannes, the actor feels that same childlike spark of excitement.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 16 May 2026
The childlike visage of Enzo, with his gap-toothed smile flanked by a pair of prominent ears, acts as the film’s lighthouse.
—Carlos Aguilar, IndieWire, 15 May 2026
Something innocent, childlike, very pure.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for childlike
Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026
Now readying himself to attend Cannes, the actor feels that same childlike spark of excitement.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 16 May 2026
The childlike visage of Enzo, with his gap-toothed smile flanked by a pair of prominent ears, acts as the film’s lighthouse.
—Carlos Aguilar, IndieWire, 15 May 2026
Something innocent, childlike, very pure.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for childlike
Recent Examples of Synonyms for childlike
Adjective
-
Erin Dubreuil leads the cast as Cady, credibly playing a naive teen, but with the vocal and dance chops of an experienced pro.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 June 2026
-
Palace require depth, and loaning anyone who is considered to be able to play a part would be naive.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
The plants and vines have grown, the tufu limestone has mellowed, the staff have bedded in, and the feel that this is a genuine Puglian village (even though it was built entirely from scratch) has been sealed.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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In this period before culture was so profoundly professionalized, populism and pluralism were genuine material questions of public participation, access, and power.—
Katy Siegel,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
The actor, 39, pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor counts of simple battery in a Louisiana criminal court Wednesday, June 3, according to records obtained by USA TODAY.—
Liza Esquibias,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
-
At the time, the New Orleans Police Department confirmed its officers charged LaBeouf with two counts of simple battery for allegedly assaulting two men near a bar in the French Quarter.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
There are past precedents for how that is not true.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
3 June 2026
-
With its overall Life in Balance philosophy, Miraval Resorts and Spas has led the way in recognizing just how valuable and restorative a true connection with other humans and the natural environment can be.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
As the federal government seeks to impose populism from above, pluralism from above is another real possibility.—
Katy Siegel,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
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The bar, Salon Salon, is a real destination drinking spot, though.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
So began the journey to create a hideaway resort sensitive to the natural environment and a marine reserve with the aim to recover the coral reefs damaged by dynamite fishing.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
Whether bright red, jet black or a shade in between, natural hair color is determined by how much melanin is in your hair.—
Kathleen Felton,
Washington Post,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
Still, the film has its rewards, mostly of the unsophisticated kind, since the fight sequences come fast and furious and the cheesy dialogue has enough groan-worthy one-liners to inspire a thousand drinking games.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
6 May 2026
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Since then, officials have also warned that even unsophisticated drones can pose serious risks.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Childlike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/childlike. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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