Infantile

Infantile describes behavior or characteristics associated with or resembling that of a baby or young child. It often implies immaturity, silliness, or a lack of emotional or intellectual development. This can manifest in various ways, such as displaying childish emotions, using simplistic reasoning, or exhibiting a dependency on others. The term can be applied to individuals, behaviors, or even ideas that are considered underdeveloped or naive. It carries a connotation of being unsophisticated, lacking in experience, and not being able to cope with the more complex facets of reality. The word is used in a critical context to portray a person as undeveloped in many aspects of their adult life.

Infantile meaning with examples

• The argument quickly devolved into an Infantile name-calling match, with both sides resorting to petty insults and childish gestures. The lack of intellectual maturity and the emotional reactions made the debate pointless as the participants were not having a real exchange and seemed more concerned with 'winning'.
• His constant need for attention and reliance on others to solve his problems made him appear Infantile to his coworkers. He would constantly seek praise or recognition for the most basic tasks, and struggle to perform even minor tasks without extensive guidance.
• The politician's Infantile approach to international relations, marked by impulsive decisions and aggressive rhetoric, deeply concerned diplomats. His diplomatic tactics often appeared amateurish and lacked foresight, potentially worsening already complex global issues and tensions with allies.
• She found the movie's plot, with its simplistic characters and predictable storyline, utterly infantile. The writing failed to engage her as an adult viewer due to the many cliches and general lack of originality, proving the project had no substance or thought.
• His reaction to criticism was remarkably infantile; he threw a temper tantrum and refused to speak to anyone for the rest of the day. He demonstrated an inability to process negative feedback without excessive emotional outbursts, further proving a lack of self control.