young 1 of 2

adjective

ˈyəŋ How to pronounce young (audio)
Definition of youngnext
as in youthful
being in the early stage of life, growth, or development a young cat requires more food than an older one a young tree that will eventually reach 50 feet tall

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

young

2 of 2

noun

as in offspring

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of young
Adjective
After migrating from Seoul to Montana as a young child, Suea first fell in love with fashion as a teenager growing up in New Jersey, begging her parents to take her to the mall to visit the Abercrombie & Fitch store after church on Sundays. — Violet Conroy, Vogue, 15 July 2026 Dating apps, which have been losing users in droves, are now attempting to inject community into their platforms as younger generations increasingly swear off technology. — Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 15 July 2026
Noun
Researchers have identified a new species of miniature marsupial frog that carries its young in a pouch on its back — a trait that sets it apart from the vast majority of frog species worldwide. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2026 Some dine on other jellyfish — even their own young when food is scarce. — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for young
Recent Examples of Synonyms for young
  1. youthful
  2. offspring
  3. juvenile
  4. brood
  5. immature
  6. hatch
  7. adolescent
  8. progeny
Adjective
  • For those of us who are reckoning with our youthful tanning exploits, however, the idea of wearing an oil formula in place of a cream or lotion seems like the antithesis of sun safety.
    — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 20 July 2026
  • This youthful Seattle group is well-equipped to give Cheryl Reeve some headaches.
    — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of youthful
Noun
  • Parenting was a haphazard experiment for even the best intentioned, and Helen and John observed their offspring, Bo, DH, and Mido, with profound fascination, as only parents can.
    — Min Jin Lee, New Yorker, 19 July 2026
  • Sharks reproduce slowly, with fewer offspring than many bony fishes, which increases their vulnerability.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 July 2026
Definition of offspring
Adjective
  • Richard Sher’s panel of Tonya Bana, Tyrone Keys, Rick Vatz and Sheila Dixon discuss juvenile violence in Baltimore.
    — Bill Wachsberger, Baltimore Sun, 18 July 2026
  • My client was a juvenile charged in adult court who struggled with significant mental health issues and limited comprehension.
    — Schnelle Tonge, Sun Sentinel, 16 July 2026
Definition of juvenile
Noun
  • Married for over 20 years to Luciana Barroso, Matt Damon's brood includes Luciana's daughter from a previous relationship, Alexia (now 27), as well as Isabella (20), Gia (17), and Stella (15).
    — Valentina Dirindin, Vanity Fair, 18 July 2026
  • That charm can wear thin, though, if a brood decides your yard is home base.
    — Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 18 July 2026
Definition of brood
Adjective
  • Edamame Edamame are young, immature soybeans harvested early.
    — Eleesha Lockett, Verywell Health, 17 July 2026
  • The majority of the pest detections have been of immature life stages of the insect such as egg masses.
    — Lizzie Kane July 9, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026
Definition of immature
Noun
  • Medina’s 2008 Honda was observed at the scene with a hatch that was crushed inwards and a shattered rear window, according to the sheriff’s office.
    — Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 19 July 2026
  • When the other three hatch a plan to finally break his streak before his wedding, things spiral rapidly out of control.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 17 July 2026
Definition of hatch
Adjective
  • As an adolescent, Machado was a regular visitor at the plant.
    — Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
  • At sixteen, much of the poem went over my head, but I was truly moved by the adolescent anger and confusion of Odysseus’ son, Telemachus.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2026
Definition of adolescent
Noun
  • Only in these United States can the progeny of people once portrayed as parasites and invaders side with those making the same argument about the latest batch of newcomers.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • That that fondness would define the very identity of her progeny?
    — Barry Levitt, Time, 19 June 2026
Definition of progeny

Phrases Containing young

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yores
young
youngish
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Cite this Entry

“Young.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/young. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on young

Nglish: Translation of young for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about young

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