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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of juvenile
Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
The alleged perpetrator, another 17-year-old female student, is facing juvenile charges.
—Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Des Moines Register, 31 Mar. 2026
Many of those involved were juveniles, officials said, with the youngest participant in this incident just 9 years old.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for juvenile
Adjective
More than a dozen dead juvenile leopard sharks found on a La Jolla beachside trail likely were put there by humans, according to a local marine expert.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
The alleged perpetrator, another 17-year-old female student, is facing juvenile charges.
—Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
The Des Moines Police Department is seeking community assistance in locating a missing juvenile.
—Des Moines Register, 31 Mar. 2026
Many of those involved were juveniles, officials said, with the youngest participant in this incident just 9 years old.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for juvenile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for juvenile
Adjective
-
Boasting the third-youngest roster in the NBA, the growing pains are going to be unavoidable.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
-
California lawmakers want schools to include nicotine in drug tests already given to student-athletes, some as young as seventh graders.—
Brady Halbleib,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The use of childish internet and video-game memes to describe violence is coarse and unworthy of the men and women who go in harm’s way.—
Eliot A. Cohen,
The Atlantic,
1 Apr. 2026
-
However, this is a childish fantasy.—
Dr. Michael Good,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
His adolescent name-calling and desperate need to emblazon his name on multiple sites are cause for national embarrassment.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Apr. 2026
-
For example, research shows that adolescent boys are more susceptible to pressure for risk-taking behaviors than girls.—
Amy Morin,
Parents,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Choose from a big assortment of polish, gift sets, treatments and polish for kids.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The first generation of parents to have resorted, at least occasionally, to mollifying their children by putting digital screens in their hands has now seen those kids grow up.—
Jeannie Suk Gersen,
New Yorker,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Yet this widely available gourd—harvested and eaten while still immature, in fact, for ripe cucumbers are yellow and bitter—is not the entirety of the plant.—
Andrés Muedano,
JSTOR Daily,
25 Mar. 2026
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Preterm and low-birth-weight babies are at higher risk than full-term babies of developing NEC, potentially because of their immature digestive systems, according to the National Institutes of Health.—
Lisa Schencker,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Steve Ponto said his daughter means well, but is inexperienced and especially passionate.—
Bridget Fogarty,
jsonline.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Messi went in as a halftime substitute in the 2-1 victory over Mauritania on March 27, a result against an inexperienced opponent that did not sit well with Scaloni.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Seasonal children's programming is available for ages three to 17, and adults can enjoy the cold plunges, sauna, and hot tub at the Lazy You Hideaway while the kids are occupied.—
Julie Bielenberg,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
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The Swalwells reported up to $38,000 a year in childcare expenses for their three children.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Juvenile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/juvenile. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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