as in feebleness
the state or period of mental decline that typically accompanies old age
whenever she makes a mistake, Grandmother just reminds everyone she's in her second childhood and children shouldn't be held accountable
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Recent Examples of second childhood
Her second childhood home was the $2.1 million Oak Acre.
—
Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 7 Feb. 2026
Many artists—Titian and de Kooning alike—have found a second childhood in old age; no other painter ever became younger in his sixties.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 25 Dec. 2023
Now that prestige art movies are either gross or failing at the box office, EO shows us that film culture is going through a jaded second childhood.
—Armond White, National Review, 2 Dec. 2022
After decades of relative maturity, the oil market might be about to enter a second childhood.
—Rochelle Toplensky, WSJ, 23 Sep. 2020
For me, those first travels were like a second childhood.
—Stanley Stewart, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2020
Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 7 Feb. 2026
Many artists—Titian and de Kooning alike—have found a second childhood in old age; no other painter ever became younger in his sixties.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 25 Dec. 2023
Now that prestige art movies are either gross or failing at the box office, EO shows us that film culture is going through a jaded second childhood.
—Armond White, National Review, 2 Dec. 2022
After decades of relative maturity, the oil market might be about to enter a second childhood.
—Rochelle Toplensky, WSJ, 23 Sep. 2020
For me, those first travels were like a second childhood.
—Stanley Stewart, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for second childhood
Noun
-
Signs of disease include warts on legs, crusty or swollen eyes, feebleness, a ruffled appearance, difficulty breathing, nasal discharge, and diarrhea.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
5 Mar. 2026
-
When hair endures damage from styling treatments, color, or heat, the hair’s keratin composition can be compromised, leading to feebleness and a greater risk of breakage.—
Sophie Wirt,
InStyle,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Is Chuck Schumer headed down the same dark treadmill to senility pioneered by Dementia Joe Biden before him?—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
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There are, however, some relevant differences between the situations of our two oldest presidents, likely reflective of the differences between senility and madness.—
Bradley Gitz,
Arkansas Online,
2 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Second childhood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/second%20childhood. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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