CALLOW Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

callow

adjective

ˈka-(ˌ)lō

Definition of callow

as in inexperienced

lacking in adult experience or maturity a story about a callow youth who learns the value of hard work and self-reliance

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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 callow The younger versions of Noah and Allie, callow and skittish, are laid out in broad strokes. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026 At a moment when American architecture was caught between an exhausted Modernism and a callow Postmodernism, Frank Gehry showed the way forward. — Martin Filler, The New York Review of Books, 12 Dec. 2025 Through it all, Marty remains a fundamentally callow character. — Peter Debruge, Variety, 1 Dec. 2025 But obviously, these days, that’s a feeling that isn’t exclusive to just callow indie kids. — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for callow

Recent Examples of Synonyms for callow

Adjective

His successor is inexperienced Indiana transfer Alberto Mendoza.

— Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Prongos is still understandably inexperienced in several areas and needs to get stronger.

— Dane Brugler, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of inexperienced

Adjective

Myocarditis, in particular, has been most typically seen in adolescent and young adult males within a week of their second mRNA Covid vaccine dose, but the CDC says that most patients respond well to medicine and rest and feel better quickly.

— Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
Everything since has come from that - the Dispelling the Myths series from 2001, the training work at Panos Caribbean, and in 2008 EVE for Life, when my own research showed me that adolescent girls and young women were the gap nobody was filling.

— Jallicia Jolly, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of adolescent

Adjective

The girl, believed to be 18 or 19 years old, had been with a group of young people who were jumping from the bridge, the fire department said.

— Richard Ramos, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Later on, Bret wanders away from his friends and runs into Debbie’s father, Terry Schaffer (Wes Bentley), entertaining handsome young men in the hot tub.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of young

Browse Nearby Words

call out

callow

callowness

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“Callow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/callow. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of callow

adjective

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