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 Johnson empathizes with callow Nets Brooklyn used a pair of rookies in the starting lineup (Nolan Traore and Egor Demin) and had two more in the bench rotation (Danny Wolf and Drake Powell). — Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Feb. 2026 Aside from the New York Giants’ capitalizing on John Harbaugh’s sudden availability, the most memorable parts of this period will be owners behaving like amateurs in public and then defaulting to their callow and superficial hiring practices. — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for callow

Recent Examples of Synonyms for callow

Adjective

Anna will also be strong on offense and young, inexperienced defense.

— Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026
And Fins have a secondary so inexperienced the guys might need asbestos uniforms against the expected torching.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of inexperienced

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

But the increasing role of private equity firms is also driving up costs, with adolescent athletes looking at pricier options outside of rec leagues at younger and younger ages.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026
The National Institutes of Health found a 121% increase in adolescent overdose deaths between 2010 and 2021, a sobering reminder of the impact on schools.

— Nathalia Fernandez, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of adolescent

Adjective

At face value, young men exercising should not be reason to sound the alarms, and yet there is something treacherous about men in their formative years placing physical beauty as the ultimate expression of self-actualization.

— José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 27 Aug. 2026
From bustling city centres to local classrooms, thousands of young people will have the chance to take part.

— K.J. Yossman, Variety, 27 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of callow

adjective

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