as in childish
having or showing the annoying qualities (as silliness) associated with children
the infantile humor that teenage boys are justly famous for
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Recent Examples of infantile
But they’re born with severe brain malformations, eye abnormalities and a debilitating form of epilepsy called infantile spasms.
—
Erika Edwards, NBC news, 4 Oct. 2025
Muscle Man is a deeply ironic book, creating a vast chasm between Harold’s strongman self-image and his infantile powers of self-expression.
—Robert Rubsam, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
Additionally, some dogs, particularly breeds with extreme infantile traits (such as pugs and French bulldogs), may appear as helpless, harmless, and innocent as small children.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 22 May 2025
The curious case of infantile amnesia The phenomenon of not remembering anything from early childhood is known as infantile amnesia.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for infantile
Erika Edwards, NBC news, 4 Oct. 2025
Muscle Man is a deeply ironic book, creating a vast chasm between Harold’s strongman self-image and his infantile powers of self-expression.
—Robert Rubsam, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
Additionally, some dogs, particularly breeds with extreme infantile traits (such as pugs and French bulldogs), may appear as helpless, harmless, and innocent as small children.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 22 May 2025
The curious case of infantile amnesia The phenomenon of not remembering anything from early childhood is known as infantile amnesia.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for infantile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infantile
Adjective
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When Smith drives us in the golf cart, hunched close to the wheel, a look of childish mischief spreads over his face.—
Sam Kestenbaum,
Vulture,
2 Jan. 2026
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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
Adjective
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Edamame Edamame are immature soybeans that are rich in protein.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
15 Jan. 2026
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The edible part of okra is the plant’s immature seedpods, which contain high levels of a substance called mucilage.—
Andrew Coletti,
Popular Science,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced major changes to its childhood and adolescent immunization schedule, an age-by-age guide for health care providers on when to vaccinate children to protect them from preventable diseases.—
Liz Regalia,
Parents,
8 Jan. 2026
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The show channels a certain energetic, zany sense of humor viewers could recognize from their own adolescent friendships and antics, culminating in a five-season run and a 2021–2023 revival on Paramount+.—
Will Harris,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Meanwhile, there is an ongoing investigation by the attorney general into possible civil rights abuses in the juvenile detention facilities.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Jan. 2026
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The approach has been used by schools and juvenile and criminal justice systems, as well as nations grappling with large-scale atrocities.—
Megan O’Matz,
ProPublica,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Infantile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infantile. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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