infantile

adjective

ˈin-fən-ˌtī(-ə)l How to pronounce infantile (audio)
Definition of infantilenext
as in childish
having or showing the annoying qualities (as silliness) associated with children the infantile humor that teenage boys are justly famous for

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 infantile Then, there’s this rather infantile tendency for the MAGA crowd to call any content moderation an act of censorship, which is a ludicrous distortion of the truth. — Joel Khalili, Wired News, 11 Mar. 2026 The question is if his self-serving instincts overcome his infantile rage. — Arkansas Online, 9 Mar. 2026 Among them was a treatment option for infantile hypophosphatasia, a rare form of rickets that makes children’s bones dangerously fragile. — Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026 This suggests that the immune system may be involved in infantile amnesia. — Veronique Greenwood, Time, 23 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for infantile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infantile
  1. childish
  2. immature
  3. adolescent
  4. juvenile
Adjective
  • The basics of investing are set out in accessible, but not childish, terms, and the little tutorials are free of any hint of edutainment or corniness.
    — Marie Sapirie, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • The portrait of Musk that emerges here is that of a childish, terminally online man who desires to eliminate the messiness of contemporary life for a more rigid order.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
Definition of childish
Adjective
  • Edamame Edamame are young, immature soybeans harvested early.
    — Eleesha Lockett, Verywell Health, 17 July 2026
  • The majority of the pest detections have been of immature life stages of the insect such as egg masses.
    — Lizzie Kane July 9, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026
Definition of immature
Adjective
  • As an adolescent, Machado was a regular visitor at the plant.
    — Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
  • At sixteen, much of the poem went over my head, but I was truly moved by the adolescent anger and confusion of Odysseus’ son, Telemachus.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2026
Definition of adolescent
Adjective
  • Richard Sher’s panel of Tonya Bana, Tyrone Keys, Rick Vatz and Sheila Dixon discuss juvenile violence in Baltimore.
    — Bill Wachsberger, Baltimore Sun, 18 July 2026
  • My client was a juvenile charged in adult court who struggled with significant mental health issues and limited comprehension.
    — Schnelle Tonge, Sun Sentinel, 16 July 2026
Definition of juvenile

Browse Nearby Words

infant
infantile
infantilized
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Infantile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infantile. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on infantile

Nglish: Translation of infantile for Spanish Speakers

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