1
as in young
being in the early stage of life, growth, or development
a juvenile alligator just hatched from its egg
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in childish
having or showing the annoying qualities (as silliness) associated with children
throwing a tantrum is rather juvenile behavior for a person of your age
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in adolescent
lacking in adult experience or maturity
a spoiled, juvenile golfer who does not know how to win gracefully
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in kid
a young person who is between infancy and adulthood
a medical study that followed juveniles through adolescence and into adulthood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of juvenile
Shelley Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
27 June 2026
The building was first a prison, then a juvenile correctional facility, before closing in 2017.
—
Jim Dobson,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
Cam'ron Hardy,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2026
Based on evidence found at the scene and in the truck, one juvenile and three adults were arrested on charges of violating civil rights by threat or force, conspiracy to commit a misdemeanor and battery, police said.
—
Sydney Brammer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for juvenile
Adjective
Councilman Jeremy Rivas, D-2nd, asked about the main cause of juvenile detention in Porter County and JDAI Coordinator Chante Harden said drug possession and battery stemming from family conflicts were the main causes.
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Shelley Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
27 June 2026
The building was first a prison, then a juvenile correctional facility, before closing in 2017.
—
Jim Dobson,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
Noun
According to a report from Oak Park officials, a female juvenile was approached by a man on a bicycle in an alley between 1100 Lyman and Taylor Avenue.
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Cam'ron Hardy,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2026
Based on evidence found at the scene and in the truck, one juvenile and three adults were arrested on charges of violating civil rights by threat or force, conspiracy to commit a misdemeanor and battery, police said.
—
Sydney Brammer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for juvenile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for juvenile
Adjective
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As adult influencers dominate online fashion culture, and tweens and teens see the same content as adults, there are fewer spaces for young people to develop styles of their own.
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While veterans jockey for new contracts during free agency, young players are getting their tryout opportunities with NBA summer league games beginning this week.
Adjective
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Of course, this is no tragedy — there comes a time to put away childish things, 40-something video-gamers notwithstanding — but the movie comes close to regarding it as such.
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This one has a charming clover shape to make your space feel animated, but not childish.
Adjective
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Programming includes individual and family mental wellness counseling, lifestyle empowerment consultations, and adolescent nutritional consultations.
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At another section of the hospital, teens in hospital scrubs walked the quiet halls of the adolescent unit with their lunch trays.
Noun
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Francois, who runs a medical rehabilitation in New York and brought his adult kids to see Les Grenadiers, said Haiti’s qualification, achieved amid extraordinary circumstances, was itself cause for celebration.
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His kids, though hesitant at first, became a large part of the business.
Adjective
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His position is assumed, in turn, by the largest of the immature fish, who, thanks to the tragedy, finally gets to grow up.
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Even Stevens was never afraid to go all out for its constant string of gags and jokes, led by Shia LaBeouf as the immature prankster Louis Stevens.
Adjective
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Over the same period, entry-level head count at the high-intensity firms rose 12%, contradicting predictions and fears that young or inexperienced workers would be most at risk of losing their jobs to AI.
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Immer and Lois work with land stewards to find projects that make sense for eager but often inexperienced volunteers.
Noun
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The 44-year-old singer's children, Sean Preston, 20, and Jayden James, 19, made a rare joint public appearance at Paris Men's Fashion Week after TMZ reported that the two would achieve a runway milestone together during the days-long sartorial event overseas.
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Sandra Cherfrere, an attorney and child of Haitian immigrants, highlighted the practical complications for families with children born abroad.
Cite this Entry
“Juvenile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/juvenile. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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