Definition

Adverb: - In a manner characteristic of or suitable for a child, often implying immaturity, silliness, or a lack of adult seriousness or restraint.

Usage

The adverb "childishly" is used to describe an action, behavior, or reaction that is immature, petty, or lacking the emotional control expected of an adult. It often carries a negative connotation of criticism or disapproval.

Examples

• After losing the game, he childishly threw the controller on the floor.
• She childishly refused to speak to her friend for a week over a minor disagreement.
• "Stop pouting so childishly," the mother said to her teenager.
• He knew it was childishly naive to believe the promise, but he wanted to have hope.

Advanced Usage

• "To behave childishly": A common collocation emphasizing immature conduct.
  • Despite being a manager, he sometimes behaves childishly when his ideas are challenged.
• Used to critique an over-simplistic or emotionally driven argument or perspective.
  • The politician's response was childishly simplistic, ignoring all complex factors.

Variants and Related Words

• Childish (adjective): Having the characteristics of a child; immature.
  • a childish sense of humor
• Childlike (adjective): Resembling a child in a positive sense, such as in innocence, wonder, or trust.
  • her childlike enthusiasm

Synonyms

• Immaturely
• Petulantly (with a connotation of being sulky or bad-tempered)
• Juvenilely

Antonyms

• Maturely
• Sensibly
• Adultly (less common, but used for contrast)

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "To throw a childish tantrum": While this idiom uses the adjective "childish," the adverb form can describe the act of doing so.
  • He childishly threw a tantrum when he didn't get his way.

Adverb

1. in a childlike manner
   • he acted very childishly