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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of childlike
But Cialente also captures the discordant keys of a multigenerational household, from childlike angst to youthful rebellion to marital frustration.
—
Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
At the same time, James’ melodies had never been so simple, so childlike, or so easy to grasp.
—Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 21 Jan. 2026
This lightweight, 100% cotton percale bed skirt blends tailored sophistication with a sense of childlike play.
—Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 20 Jan. 2026
Jonathan Winters played Mearth, Mork’s childlike son, and brought his signature wild comedy to the role.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for childlike
Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
At the same time, James’ melodies had never been so simple, so childlike, or so easy to grasp.
—Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 21 Jan. 2026
This lightweight, 100% cotton percale bed skirt blends tailored sophistication with a sense of childlike play.
—Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 20 Jan. 2026
Jonathan Winters played Mearth, Mork’s childlike son, and brought his signature wild comedy to the role.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for childlike
Recent Examples of Synonyms for childlike
Adjective
-
Critics say Starmer was, at best, naive in not recognizing the risks involved.—
JILL LAWLESS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Critics say Mandelson’s ties with Epstein made his appointment too risky and Starmer was, at best, naive.—
Jill Lawless,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The new telescope represents a genuine leap toward accessible professional astronomy, stripping away the technical barriers.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The strength of the Premier League has never been more evident, with each side posing a genuine threat to take points off each other.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The 18-year-old was also charged with simple assault, a misdemeanor and summary charges of harassment and disorderly conduct.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
-
With similar pressures and temperatures to those found at Earth’s surface, Venus, up above its cloud-tops, might already be home to simple but hardy microbial life forms.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
That speaks of self-protection, not transparency or true accountability for Andrew, who has denied all allegations against him.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Mass debranding is also required because, in true FIFA style, only the governing body’s official partners and sponsors can be visually present at the World Cup.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Dell is finally good at something—but as her behavior becomes riskier and a shadowy troll threatens to expose her dark past, Dell must reckon with what her digital life ignores, and what real redemption means.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
When boys are asked to show up consistently for real people, academic readiness and emotional readiness develop side by side.—
Dr. Liz Doe Stone,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Humanoid endures freeze Unitree has staged a high-profile demonstration of its G1 humanoid robot’s ability to operate in some of the harshest natural conditions on Earth, sending the biped into the deep freeze of China’s far northwest.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The sneckdown is the snow that builds up on parts of the street that cars don’t use, acting as a natural curb extension.—
Naaman Zhou,
New Yorker,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This sort of behavior is childish and unsophisticated.—
Josh Brown,Sean Russo,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
-
And Blackstone is not an unsophisticated hotel owner.—
Lori Weisberg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Childlike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/childlike. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
