sophomoric
adjective
soph·o·mor·ic ˌsäf-ˈmȯr-ik 
-ˈmär-,
also ˌsȯf-,
or ˌsä-fə-,
or ˌsȯ-fə-
1
: conceited and overconfident of knowledge but poorly informed and immature
a sophomoric argument
2
: lacking in maturity, taste, or judgment
sophomoric humor
Did you know?
Sophomores get a bad rap. A lot of people seem to think they're foolish (no matter what they do), when they themselves know they're pretty wise. The history of the words sophomore and sophomoric (which developed from sophomore) proves that it has always been tough to be a sophomore. Those words probably come from a combination of the Greek terms sophos (which means "wise") and mōros (which means "foolish"). But sophomores can take comfort in the fact that some very impressive words, including philosopher and sophisticated, are also related to sophos.
Example Sentences
His behavior at the party was sophomoric.
Recent Examples on the Web For Martin, every bit of the work — yes, even sophomoric remarks about baby fat — still demands constant refining. 
Mikey O'connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Aug. 2022 Think of it as the opposite of a quality start, with a sophomoric twist. Scott Allen, Washington Post, 30 Apr. 2021 This is not particularly surprising since Winget's move in attempting to revoke the trust was sophomoric — a tactic that would look terrible even in regard to a $500 debt, much less one that supposedly was in the hundreds of millions. Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 11 July 2022 As metaphor, the film’s flying and flipping stunts over Yuma outdo Kubrick’s sophomoric fuel-pump copulation in Dr. Strangelove. Armond White, National Review, 8 June 2022 Discord posts are full of sophomoric, even banal stereotypes about Black people—as genetically inferior, as predisposed to crime. Keeanga-yamahtta Taylor, The New Yorker, 15 May 2022 What’s needed in Washington is genuine fiscal reform and fiscal discipline, not sophomoric demagoguery, gimmicks, and stunts. The Editors, National Review, 29 Mar. 2022 Humor, both sublime and silly, sophomoric and sophisticated, unleashed with purpose, can often help communicate very real, hard truths about American society. Washington Post, 11 Feb. 2022 Jackass Forever is being released only in theaters, providing the opportunity for its fans who find constant hilarity in its sophomoric antics to share their pleasure with like-minded brethren. Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Feb. 2022 See More
Mikey O'connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Aug. 2022 Think of it as the opposite of a quality start, with a sophomoric twist. Scott Allen, Washington Post, 30 Apr. 2021 This is not particularly surprising since Winget's move in attempting to revoke the trust was sophomoric — a tactic that would look terrible even in regard to a $500 debt, much less one that supposedly was in the hundreds of millions. Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 11 July 2022 As metaphor, the film’s flying and flipping stunts over Yuma outdo Kubrick’s sophomoric fuel-pump copulation in Dr. Strangelove. Armond White, National Review, 8 June 2022 Discord posts are full of sophomoric, even banal stereotypes about Black people—as genetically inferior, as predisposed to crime. Keeanga-yamahtta Taylor, The New Yorker, 15 May 2022 What’s needed in Washington is genuine fiscal reform and fiscal discipline, not sophomoric demagoguery, gimmicks, and stunts. The Editors, National Review, 29 Mar. 2022 Humor, both sublime and silly, sophomoric and sophisticated, unleashed with purpose, can often help communicate very real, hard truths about American society. Washington Post, 11 Feb. 2022 Jackass Forever is being released only in theaters, providing the opportunity for its fans who find constant hilarity in its sophomoric antics to share their pleasure with like-minded brethren. Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Feb. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1813, in the meaning defined at sense 1