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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of adolescent
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
13 June 2026
Upward of a hundred promising adolescent boys, scouted as young as six, are admitted each year to live and train at the facility full time, in a system that resembles top youth-development programs in Europe and South America.
—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
12 June 2026
René Ostberg,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
7 May 2026
As an adolescent, he was diagnosed with dyslexia and struggled through school.
—
Jen Murphy,
Robb Report,
26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for adolescent
Adjective
Witt has known the coach since his adolescent years.
—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
13 June 2026
Upward of a hundred promising adolescent boys, scouted as young as six, are admitted each year to live and train at the facility full time, in a system that resembles top youth-development programs in Europe and South America.
—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
12 June 2026
Noun
The epitome of an enfant terrible, Rimbaud was a rebellious adolescent with a tempestuous personal life (ask fellow poet Paul Verlaine).
—
René Ostberg,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
7 May 2026
As an adolescent, he was diagnosed with dyslexia and struggled through school.
—
Jen Murphy,
Robb Report,
26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for adolescent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adolescent
Adjective
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Still, younger investors are leading the charge for AI adoption.
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Most of those children are 3 years old and younger, USA TODAY has reported.
Adjective
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This one has a charming clover shape to make your space feel animated, but not childish.
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The result feels comforting without skewing childish.
Adjective
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The first thing a stressed cucumber plant will do is drop blossoms and immature fruit, says Gorlin-Crenshaw.
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The repetition accounts for immature pollen grains and mediates weather challenges by offering multiple opportunities for the pollen to transfer to the stigma.
Noun
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This announcement came after two teens were arrested for allegedly robbing another juvenile at gunpoint during a teen link-up at THE AVENUE at White Marsh.
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Bates said the suspects could be juveniles.
Adjective
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Miami’s infantile offense can’t afford to carry this team.
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That now seemed an infantile idea.
Adjective
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At $18 or even $15 per hour, many companies don’t see value in hiring inexperienced teens who require extensive training to interact with customers, let alone achieve some measure of productivity.
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Lagway’s depature after 19 starts leaves the Gators to choose between two talented, yet inexperienced options with just one combined start — by Philo against Gardner-Webb in 2025.
Noun
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McKenna's death gained national attention after her disappearance in the middle of the night set off a frantic search for the teenager.
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Jace is a prime example of an annoying TV teenager — stop questioning every decision your mom makes, dude!
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.
Cite this Entry
“Adolescent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adolescent. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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