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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Recent Examples of callow
But obviously, these days, that’s a feeling that isn’t exclusive to just callow indie kids.
—
Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2025
The two performers effortlessly convey their characters’ callow charm, and there’s a disarming lack of to-do in the way Uttapa, at the center of the story, rides its tonal shifts as Olmo faces moments of awakening, both sublime and potentially shattering.
—Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Feb. 2025
The callow roster is rapidly developing, and the wins are starting to come.
—Tony Jones, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
In discerning and grooming the callow and shallow Donald, Roy picks up on his starrily megawatt personality, likening him to Robert Redford.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for callow
Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2025
The two performers effortlessly convey their characters’ callow charm, and there’s a disarming lack of to-do in the way Uttapa, at the center of the story, rides its tonal shifts as Olmo faces moments of awakening, both sublime and potentially shattering.
—Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Feb. 2025
The callow roster is rapidly developing, and the wins are starting to come.
—Tony Jones, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
In discerning and grooming the callow and shallow Donald, Roy picks up on his starrily megawatt personality, likening him to Robert Redford.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for callow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for callow
Adjective
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All of Quigley’s challengers are politically inexperienced but impassioned Democrats running to the incumbent’s left.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The most common complaints include denying legitimate claims, partnering with inexperienced and unqualified service providers, poor service, and slow response times.—
Sharon Brandwein,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The film’s vintage patina doesn’t detract from rising actor Will Price’s confident performance as an immature mobster who prefers bitcoin to stacks of Benjamins.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
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Unlike older drugs, this formula safely accounts for a baby’s immature metabolism.—
Kwesi Akonu Adom Mensah Forson,
The Conversation,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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With a biting script by Tina Fey, the film fearlessly explores the dark side of the early aughts adolescent social scene.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Feb. 2026
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The teen recently spent a day at a major tech company that is working to shape the future of adolescent technology.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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There's no exact cause known for the rise in cancers among young people, according to experts, but researchers are trying to figure it out.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
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Meta, TikTok and Snap will be rated on their teen safety efforts amid rising concern about whether the world’s largest social media platforms are doing enough to protect the mental health of young people.—
Queenie Wong,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Callow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/callow. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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