childish

adjective

ˈchī(-ə)l-dish How to pronounce childish (audio)
Definition of childishnext
as in immature
having or showing the annoying qualities (as silliness) associated with children you almost spoiled the ceremony for everyone with your childish giggling

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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 childish In just a few short weeks, his childish, naive world becomes brutally adult. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026 Designing a kid-friendly room no longer means settling for decor that looks childish. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 29 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 Their ideas about it were often steeped in stereotypes suggesting that Buddhists were irrational and childish in their thinking. — Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for childish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for childish
  1. immature
  2. adolescent
  3. juvenile
Adjective
  • There’s nothing wrong with holding on to childhood and being a little immature from time to time.
    — Loren Savini, Allure, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The acclaimed writer Rachel Cusk’s controversial new novel Life of M is an intimate, unvarnished character study of an A-list movie star who is depicted as hollow, immature and cynical, an intellectual poseur and an artist wannabe.
    — Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of immature
Adjective
  • The manga and popular anime series follow adolescent ninja Naruto, who dreams of becoming his community’s protector and leader known as the village ninja.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Once dismissed as overly sweet, hyper-feminine, or adolescent, the best gourmand fragrances have since evolved.
    — Danielle James, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of adolescent
Adjective
  • One suspect’s juvenile petition is for conspiracy to commit a felony.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The driver of the Charger ran from the scene, leaving behind a juvenile passenger who was later reunited with a parent, according to Wheeler.
    — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of juvenile

Browse Nearby Words

childhood
childish
childishness
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Cite this Entry

“Childish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/childish. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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