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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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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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
Programming includes individual and family mental wellness counseling, lifestyle empowerment consultations, and adolescent nutritional consultations. — Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 June 2026 At another section of the hospital, teens in hospital scrubs walked the quiet halls of the adolescent unit with their lunch trays. — Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 29 June 2026
Noun
These provisions also do not guarantee that an adolescent will be granted an exception. — Sunaya Krishnapura, STAT, 10 June 2026 The Ulman Foundation has been creating community for adolescents and young adults impacted by cancer. — Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 9 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
  • Be vigilant about never leaving young children and pets in vehicles without supervision, especially during periods of intense heat, as car interiors can quickly become extremely hot.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2026
  • As the sounds of fighting increased nearby, Al-Zaharnah decided to leave with his wife and youngest son.
    — Bilal Shbeir, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of young
Adjective
  • Their ideas about it were often steeped in stereotypes suggesting that Buddhists were irrational and childish in their thinking.
    — Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 7 July 2026
  • While there is absolutely nothing childish about the property, there are crib and highchairs available, children’s menus at the hotel’s restaurant, and babysitting services that can be arranged through a third party.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 July 2026
Definition of childish
Adjective
  • 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
  • From the first whistle, the Americans looked too clumsy, disconnected and immature to compete for the World Cup quarterfinals berth.
    — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026
Definition of immature
Noun
  • In the second Honda Pilot, seven occupants, including six juveniles, had minor injuries, according to the crash report.
    — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026
  • With no other juveniles to practice with, Neil can only rehearse on Toyotas.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 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
  • Hillmann said that the high percentage of inexperienced foreigners today makes the Pamplona bull runs particularly dangerous.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 July 2026
  • Leaders in at least three counties have publicly spoken out against Alfonso as being too inexperienced for the job and questioned Duffy’s influence.
    — Scott Bauer, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of inexperienced
Noun
  • The denial was a hit to Wilber’s spirit, but Yadira tried to calm the restless teenager.
    — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • Salgado Araujo came across the border from Mexico as a teenager and had been working without legal status for 35 years.
    — Nick Miroff, The Atlantic, 9 July 2026
Definition of teenager
Noun
  • The politician started the team as a positive force for school-age kids, to keep kids in school, off drugs and out of gangs through athletic acrobatic practice and performance.
    — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026
  • These two summer nutrition programs work in concert to provide a solution to the long-standing challenge of summer hunger for kids.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 July 2026
Definition of kid

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adolescent
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Cite this Entry

“Adolescent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adolescent. Accessed 14 Jul. 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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