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
Some of the patterns may also be a little too childlike, but that’s a matter of personal preference.
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Mike Richard, Men's Health, 28 Oct. 2022
Some pieces wrestled with the turbulence and violence of the day, but others had a childlike quality.
—Neil Genzlinger, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Dec. 2022
As Payne slips deeper into his sober analyst role, Curry appears to be playing with more childlike joy than ever.
—Scott Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle, 30 Nov. 2022
Moving freely through this scenery called up a childlike joy.
—Tess Taylor, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 May 2022
See all Example Sentences for childlike 
Mike Richard, Men's Health, 28 Oct. 2022
Some pieces wrestled with the turbulence and violence of the day, but others had a childlike quality.
—Neil Genzlinger, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Dec. 2022
As Payne slips deeper into his sober analyst role, Curry appears to be playing with more childlike joy than ever.
—Scott Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle, 30 Nov. 2022
Moving freely through this scenery called up a childlike joy.
—Tess Taylor, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 May 2022
See all Example Sentences for childlike
Recent Examples of Synonyms for childlike
Adjective
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By my naive estimation, our home sat at least three blocks south of the street no wildfire could realistically cross in any event other than the biblical apocalypse.Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Jan. 2025
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Zelensky called it naive to say Putin wants to finish the war, and urged Trump to demonstrate strength in any talks with the Russian leader.Laura Kelly, The Hill, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Birmingham, Alabama, home with a sense of genuine, collected warmth.Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 18 Jan. 2025
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The information the source supplies must be newsworthy and give readers genuine insight.Maria Abi-Habib, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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My top answer is a simple and no-brainer recommendation: Wash your hands with soap and water.Amanda Schupak, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2025
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Adidas Originals Stan Smith Sneakers These iconic Stan Smith sneakers offer form and function thanks to their simple design, soft leather material (no blisters here!), and roomy fit.Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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This is especially true with the sun in Capricorn energizing your fourth house of home, family and innermost feelings.Valerie Mesa, People.com, 15 Jan. 2025
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If this point of view is true of my colleagues, the fault lies with medical training, not with the individual doctor.Alessandra Hirsch, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Among high-profile foreign players, only French legend Patrick Vieira has tasted any real success in MLS, a league that in many ways asks more of managers than others.Pablo Maurer, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
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Pulley’s novel is inspired by real events: In September 1957, an explosion in the Soviet Union spread radioactive material, causing mass evacuations and contamination.Vanessa Armstrong, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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This model allows startups to grow at a natural pace without the pressure of rapid scaling.Michael B. Horn, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
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Trump claims that the border between the United States and Canada is an artificial line, but much of the border is along a parallel of latitude, which is a natural or obvious, geometric feature, anchored by the north and south poles.Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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For anyone who thinks a pair of headphones aimed at drummers might be a bit unsophisticated and possibly a little brutal, nothing could be further from the truth.Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024
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Initially hesitant to accept her help, Chadwick warms to his TA thanks to her anxious but dedicated work ethic, as well as her flare for debate — a notable turn from the somewhat unsophisticated nature of Ronald’s relationship with Cecile in the 1999 film.Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Childlike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/childlike. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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