adolescent 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of adolescentnext
1
as in young
being in the early stage of life, growth, or development an adolescent sheepdog, who hasn't quite gotten the hang of keeping the sheep huddled together

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in childish
having or showing the annoying qualities (as silliness) associated with children would hope that the college students had outgrown such adolescent behavior

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3
as in immature
lacking in adult experience or maturity took a group of adolescent recruits and turned them into professional warriors

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

adolescent

2 of 2

noun

as in juvenile

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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 adolescent
Adjective
Rescued by Tamijuddin, a Muslim friend of her father’s, the adolescent Sutara is nursed back to health by his family before being escorted safely to her brothers in Calcutta. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026 Children who struggle to gain weight while taking certain stimulant ADHD medication may benefit from Simtriyo too, according to Neha Sharma, DO, chief of child and adolescent psychiatry at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. — Rob Williams, EverydayHealth.com, 28 July 2026
Noun
In a 2025 study of 209 adolescents aged 10 to 17 who had a depressive or anxiety disorder, researchers examined iron deficiency and anxiety through brain scans and interviews. — Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 10 June 2026 These provisions also do not guarantee that an adolescent will be granted an exception. — Sunaya Krishnapura, STAT, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for adolescent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adolescent
  1. young
  2. childish
  3. immature
  4. juvenile
  5. infantile
  6. inexperienced
  7. teenager
  8. kid
Adjective
  • As Texas’ public-school enrollment experiences its first non-pandemic enrollment decline in decades, Tarrant County’s pre-K enrollment is also losing its youngest students.
    — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026
  • Additionally, thin or fragile skin can tear or simply not hold designs as well as younger, more elastic skin.
    — Rachel Brown Kirkland, AJC.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of young
Adjective
  • The basics of investing are set out in accessible, but not childish, terms, and the little tutorials are free of any hint of edutainment or corniness.
    — Marie Sapirie, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • The portrait of Musk that emerges here is that of a childish, terminally online man who desires to eliminate the messiness of contemporary life for a more rigid order.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
Definition of childish
Adjective
  • If speed and trust are still presented as a trade-off in 2026, that is a sign of an immature solution, not an inherent limitation.
    — Susan Laine, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • Edamame Edamame are young, immature soybeans harvested early.
    — Eleesha Lockett, Verywell Health, 17 July 2026
Definition of immature
Noun
  • This case marks the third time Walker has been involved in an alleged crime with juveniles.
    — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
  • Empact says there's also a growing use of artificial intelligence to extort and coerce juveniles into human trafficking.
    — James Taylor, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Definition of juvenile
Adjective
  • Ultimately, kneading is a multi-faceted trait, showcasing how domestication retains infantile aspects in adult cats.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Miami’s infantile offense can’t afford to carry this team.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 12 June 2026
Definition of infantile
Adjective
  • The Dolphins entered camp with a young and relatively inexperienced group of edge rushers, placing the Michigan product in the unusual position of being asked to help lead others while still fighting to reestablish himself.
    — Tyler M. Carmona July 30, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
  • Others point out working with an inexperienced pitching coach, working behind a bad defense and working without a contract for next season as pieces to the puzzle.
    — Will Sammon, New York Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of inexperienced
Noun
  • The crowd skewed older, with plenty of fans who appeared decades removed from high school but sang along with the enthusiasm of teenagers.
    — Jamie Graziano, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026
  • First responders attempted to save his life, but the teenager died at the scene, the Austin Police Department said in a statement.
    — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
Definition of teenager
Noun
  • Residents didn’t feel safe walking their dogs down the street, let alone taking their kids to the neighborhood park.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Aliso Beach has a steep drop-off near the shoreline, where several kids took the warnings seriously.
    — Michele Gile, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Definition of kid

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adolescences
adolescent
adolescents
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Cite this Entry

“Adolescent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adolescent. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on adolescent

Nglish: Translation of adolescent for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about adolescent

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