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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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
  • 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 Monday's news conference, Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison said the suspect, who had not yet been named, was not previously involved in the juvenile justice system.
    — Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Nikole Ramos was booked into jail and the teen was booked into juvenile hall for murder, police said.
    — Brandon Downs, CBS News, 28 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 2 Sep. 2026.

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