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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of adolescent
Sunaya Krishnapura, STAT, 10 June 2026
Nicholas Galitzine plays He-Man, aka Prince Adam of Eternia, who, as an adolescent, was sent to Earth after his kingdom was conquered by Skeletor, played by Jared Leto as a purring diva.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 8 June 2026
Jen Murphy, Robb Report, 26 Apr. 2026
He was brought to the center as an adolescent with a broken wing (possibly due to a collision with a car) and can no longer fly properly.
—Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for adolescent
Adjective
However, in cases where disclosure can impede care, the medical community affirms the right to adolescent confidentiality.
—Sunaya Krishnapura, STAT, 10 June 2026
Nicholas Galitzine plays He-Man, aka Prince Adam of Eternia, who, as an adolescent, was sent to Earth after his kingdom was conquered by Skeletor, played by Jared Leto as a purring diva.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 8 June 2026
Noun
As an adolescent, he was diagnosed with dyslexia and struggled through school.
—Jen Murphy, Robb Report, 26 Apr. 2026
He was brought to the center as an adolescent with a broken wing (possibly due to a collision with a car) and can no longer fly properly.
—Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for adolescent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adolescent
Adjective
-
Moderate exercise has been shown to improve learning among students from elementary school through young adulthood, and the effects on attention, memory and executive function are well-documented, pediatricians say.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
-
Star pitcher Logan Webb and several of the team's young major leaguers, however, are not expected to be put on the block.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
This one has a charming clover shape to make your space feel animated, but not childish.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
12 June 2026
-
The result feels comforting without skewing childish.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
The first thing a stressed cucumber plant will do is drop blossoms and immature fruit, says Gorlin-Crenshaw.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
18 June 2026
-
The repetition accounts for immature pollen grains and mediates weather challenges by offering multiple opportunities for the pollen to transfer to the stigma.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
Three adults, as well as three juveniles, faced multiple criminal charges in the shooting.—
Ben Wheeler
June 12,
Kansas City Star,
12 June 2026
-
The teen received an adult designation, which allows the judge to sentence the teen as a juvenile or an adult, or to allow rehabilitation before implementing an adult sentence.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
Miami’s infantile offense can’t afford to carry this team.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
12 June 2026
-
That now seemed an infantile idea.—
Chang-rae Lee,
New Yorker,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
In the end, an inexperienced minor – who has no idea who hired them – pulls the trigger.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
-
Niemeyer found that random killing also creates chaos by replacing older coyotes that have learned the dangers of depredating livestock with younger, inexperienced coyotes that do depredate.—
Ted Williams,
Denver Post,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
For a lonely teenager in a rural town, a young person exploring their identity, a migrant child keeping culture and family within reach or a neurodivergent child who finds the school corridor or the playground.—
Belonging Forum,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
-
On June 12, the stylish teenager joined her family in attending her father David Beckham's Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony.—
Staff Author,
InStyle,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Take a bunch of kids who’ve never been out of East Tennessee.—
Holly Gleason,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
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Your support will help ease the financial burden and give Pam and her kids a sense of hope and security.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Adolescent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adolescent. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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