1
as in childish
having or showing the annoying qualities (as silliness) associated with children
told the teenagers that such puerile behavior would not be tolerated during the ceremony
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in immature
lacking in adult experience or maturity
allowed the company to be taken over by a bunch of puerile whippersnappers fresh out of business school
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in goofy
lacking in seriousness or maturity
the kind of puerile jokes that teenage moviegoers apparently love
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of puerile
Even if TikTok really is shut down in the United States by the end of the month, capping at least one spigot of puerile content, the damage will have been done.
—
Helen Holmes, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
Lamar and his family, in this reading, are Edenic figures, inaugurating a new sort of American iconography, descended from Wood and Parks but breaking from them as well, born from the aftermath of a great—if also sometimes regrettably puerile—battle.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 11 July 2024
Trump’s supporters turn the tables on his puerile critics.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2024
The whole matter is puerile, and Sheriff Gahler should accept he’s met his match in Cassilly.
—Aegis Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 29 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for puerile
Helen Holmes, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
Lamar and his family, in this reading, are Edenic figures, inaugurating a new sort of American iconography, descended from Wood and Parks but breaking from them as well, born from the aftermath of a great—if also sometimes regrettably puerile—battle.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 11 July 2024
Trump’s supporters turn the tables on his puerile critics.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2024
The whole matter is puerile, and Sheriff Gahler should accept he’s met his match in Cassilly.
—Aegis Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 29 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for puerile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puerile
Adjective
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He's gone on numerous rants about the 26-year-old, most recently calling him childish for his actions in Dallas' preseason finale.—
Kevin McCormick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Aug. 2025
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That’s the mark of a public servant who brings intellectual depth to his role, not someone deserving of childish attacks.—
Aegis reader commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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But for now, the cost to implement what is still an unproven and immature AI solution at a small business is too prohibitive.—
Gene Marks,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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When first released, Marfenin’s hydrozoan medusae are immature.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Hope Anne is goofy, affectionate, full of zest, and has so much love to give.—
Trish Stinger,
Kansas City Star,
2 Sep. 2025
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Gangly giraffes punctuated the grasslands like goofy exclamation points.—
The Editors,
Outside,
31 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Asha Patton-Smith, MD, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Kaiser Permanente in Virginia, emphasizes paying attention to the emotional toll.—
Adrienne Farr,
Parents,
5 Sep. 2025
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Researchers can investigate coping strategies and resources that empower Black and Hispanic teens and their parents, and evaluate their effectiveness in supporting adolescent well-being.—
Alvin Thomas,
The Conversation,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Since the election, Reform has tried to refashion itself from a protest vote party to one that could govern – untried and inexperienced, but ready to step in if the Labour Party buckles under its own blunders, and the once-mighty Conservatives drift further into political irrelevance.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
7 Sep. 2025
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His emergence has enabled a talented, inexperienced team find its early identity.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Many kids find repeating these phrases satisfying, or silly, or just plain fun to say, Estevez says.—
Wendy Wisner,
Parents,
8 Sep. 2025
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There are no silly games being played.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The effort led Gajić to find two kitefin sharks, one baby and one juvenile, the study said.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
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Patton had been working on a gravel road with his tractor near Mulberry Mountain when a 70-pound juvenile black bear attacked him, AGFC officials said, per the outlets.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical Roald Dahl's beloved 1988 novel about a young girl named Matilda with telekinetic powers has gotten its fair share of adaptations over the years.—
Jacqueline Weiss,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
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Nevertheless, the Phillies and Marlins teams were aware that few things are as exciting for a young fan as getting a home run ball.—
Chandelis Duster,
NPR,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Puerile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puerile. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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