as in naive
resembling or suggesting a child; like that of a child
a childlike honesty He had a childlike innocence that others found endearing.
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Recent Examples of childlike
Dusted with umami-imparting kombu salt and served with an allium-forward green garlic labneh ranch dip, their childlike origin story is surprising.
—
Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
Oswald’s timid Ludie is gentle, sad and almost childlike in his lack of assertiveness toward his wife.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
At the same time, James’ melodies had never been so simple, so childlike, or so easy to grasp.
—Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 21 Jan. 2026
This lightweight, 100% cotton percale bed skirt blends tailored sophistication with a sense of childlike play.
—Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for childlike
Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
Oswald’s timid Ludie is gentle, sad and almost childlike in his lack of assertiveness toward his wife.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
At the same time, James’ melodies had never been so simple, so childlike, or so easy to grasp.
—Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 21 Jan. 2026
This lightweight, 100% cotton percale bed skirt blends tailored sophistication with a sense of childlike play.
—Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for childlike
Recent Examples of Synonyms for childlike
Adjective
-
Critics say Starmer was, at best, naive in not recognizing the risks involved.—
JILL LAWLESS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Critics say Mandelson’s ties with Epstein made his appointment too risky and Starmer was, at best, naive.—
Jill Lawless,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The files have created some genuine issues for news organizations, whose ranks are filled with individuals with whom Epstein hoped to forge personal connections.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Both players had fists full of each other’s shirts, but the referee pointed to the spot and deemed Akpoguma not to have made a genuine attempt for the ball.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Feltner’s routine was pretty simple.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Crime 101 takes the same view of quid pro quo as the most basic form of American commerce and makes simple but brutal points about value and self-worth, where your car, its year, make and model, matters more than your resumé.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
That’s true, even though the odds of getting hurt during travel are generally higher when driving.—
Caitlin McGlade,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Exercises like Aron’s 36 questions are designed to reveal the most interesting, truest things about a person, and self‑ disclosure, trust building, and mutual appreciation accelerate closeness.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The singer slowly made his way down the stage, stopping by La Casita, popularized during the singer’s recent world tour, and even witnessed a couple’s real wedding.—
Itzel Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
-
His only real path to election is as the Sandy Koufax of the 21st century.—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Over half were additives typically added to ultraprocessed foods; the rest were more natural options, such as the use of lemon juice as a preservative or beet juice for color.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Moving to Charlotte has opened the door to the incredible natural beauty the Carolinas are known for — the mountains, lakes, forests and everything in between.—
Shindy Chen
February 10,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This sort of behavior is childish and unsophisticated.—
Josh Brown,Sean Russo,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
-
And Blackstone is not an unsophisticated hotel owner.—
Lori Weisberg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Childlike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/childlike. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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