CALLOW Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

callow

adjective

ˈka-(ˌ)lō

Definition of callow

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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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 callow As for the story, neither the Phantom nor the callow boyfriend struck me as proper suitors for Christine. — David Allen, Daily News, 9 Aug. 2026 Rohmer is still very young, to be sure, maybe somewhat callow, but these highly discerning insights into conflicting emotions and human psychology will end up appearing in all of his films. — André Aciman, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026 Its most melancholy scene of all involves Willy Loman, a traveling salesman who has given his unnamed company the best years of his now weary life, walking into the head office only to be humiliated by the callow young man who now runs his company and could not give a damn about him. — Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2026 Johnson empathizes with callow Nets Brooklyn used a pair of rookies in the starting lineup (Nolan Traore and Egor Demin) and had two more in the bench rotation (Danny Wolf and Drake Powell). — Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for callow

Recent Examples of Synonyms for callow

Adjective

Right tackle Joe Alt (neck) and left guard Kayode Awosika (fibula) remain out, meaning rookie center Jake Slaughter will continue to anchor a front that has featured several inexperienced players over the last two games.

— Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
These experienced and skilled athletes, who are often 22 or 23 years old, are appealing to coaches, especially when compared with inexperienced and physically less developed freshmen.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of inexperienced

Adjective

Many of us have watched the debate about links between social media use and adolescent mental health run for more than a decade without consensus, thanks in part to the lack of necessary measurement infrastructure to inform policymakers.

— Ned Cooper, STAT, 26 Oct. 2026
This month, the brand has introduced a sixth scent with Havana Tonka—a decadent fragrance with nothing adolescent about it.

— Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of adolescent

Adjective

That young Israelis are drifting right is in many ways a reflection of how Israeli society differs from other wealthy democracies.

— Yarden Segev, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
But after Vucic conceded defeat Sunday evening, ecstatic young revelers filled the streets of Belgrade and ripped down the cordons around the encampment known as Caciland.

— JOVANA GEC, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of young

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call out

callow

callowness

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“Callow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/callow. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of callow

adjective

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