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
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
The callow striver Redmond Barry is played by 1970s heartthrob Ryan O’Neal, in one of his best performances, a reluctant conscript in the British army after leaving his Irish home in disgrace.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 29 Sep. 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
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
See All Example Sentences for callow
Martin Filler, The New York Review of Books, 12 Dec. 2025
The callow striver Redmond Barry is played by 1970s heartthrob Ryan O’Neal, in one of his best performances, a reluctant conscript in the British army after leaving his Irish home in disgrace.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 29 Sep. 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
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
See All Example Sentences for callow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for callow
Adjective
-
Another risk is infection from non-sterile equipment, which might happen if the procedure is done by inexperienced technicians or in non-medical settings, Hazan says.—
Erica Sweeney,
Time,
11 May 2026
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The other strong selling point is that the inexperienced videographer doesn't have to fiddle with a load of settings before recording.—
David Szondy
May 09,
New Atlas,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
There’s so much regulation coming our way aimed at removing any sort of greenwashing, but even if that is successful, the customer is still immature.—
Elektra Kotsoni,
Vogue,
8 May 2026
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On top of that, the immature grubs chew through grass roots and create dead patches in your lawn.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
The film follows Dudley, an adolescent frog desperate to break free from the iron grip of his father Arthur, the mayor of frog town.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
16 May 2026
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But the idea at the heart of Curry Barker’s new horror film, Obsession, has an endearingly adolescent, back-to-basics simplicity.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
The Modernist is friendly, drawing a mostly millennial mix of young families, gay couples, and girls trips.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
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In all, through injuries and midweek rest for veterans, Varas started five players who are 20 or younger.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Callow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/callow. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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