infantile

adjective

ˈin-fən-ˌtī(-ə)l How to pronounce infantile (audio)
Definition of infantilenext
as in childish
having or showing the annoying qualities (as silliness) associated with children the infantile humor that teenage boys are justly famous for

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 infantile Miami’s infantile offense can’t afford to carry this team. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 12 June 2026 Not for infantile name calling. — Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2026 Then, there’s this rather infantile tendency for the MAGA crowd to call any content moderation an act of censorship, which is a ludicrous distortion of the truth. — Joel Khalili, Wired News, 11 Mar. 2026 The question is if his self-serving instincts overcome his infantile rage. — Arkansas Online, 9 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for infantile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infantile
  1. childish
  2. immature
  3. adolescent
  4. juvenile
Adjective
  • Ending felt childish and then felt unnecessary with the cliffhanger.
    — David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • There is a playful feeling to many PATTARAPHAN pieces, but this is not childish work.
    — Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of childish
Adjective
  • Edamame Edamame, or immature soybeans, is naturally rich in both protein and fiber.
    — Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The report, published in December 2024, cited multiple factors, including the fast fashion business model and immature textile recycling technologies.
    — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of immature
Adjective
  • This placed adolescent Danny right in the center of 1950s Hollywood.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Plans include growing its psychiatry residency, expanding adolescent psychiatry fellowships, and launching an addiction medicine fellowship to prepare future specialists.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of adolescent
Adjective
  • In the most serious cases, they were committed to state juvenile justice facilities.
    — Kristian Hernández, San Antonio Express-News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • He was held at a county juvenile detention center for nearly two weeks.
    — Rosie Cima, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of juvenile

Browse Nearby Words

infant
infantile
infantilized
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Cite this Entry

“Infantile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infantile. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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