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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
This shows the importance of peer influence in adolescent decision-making, which will be a factor in the restrictions globally. — Camilla Iannone, STAT, 22 Sep. 2026 Detectives believe there may be more adolescent victims, especially in the Spanish-speaking community. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2026
Noun
Despite being a high achiever, Veena Dinavahi struggled with anxiety and depression as an adolescent. — Rich Schapiro, NBC news, 20 June 2026 Many factors can lead to substance use among adolescents, experts say, including their peers and family environments. — Avni Trivedi, CNN Money, 12 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
  • Wigglesworth found a young Alexander Hamilton making almost the same diagnosis two centuries ago, in a letter unearthed via a mention in Ron Chernow’s biography.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026
  • While this may be framed as a military problem, the problem stems from the decade before a young person reaches enlistment age.
    — Stanley McChrystal, STAT, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of young
Adjective
  • There is a playful feeling to many PATTARAPHAN pieces, but this is not childish work.
    — Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • And also settling a very childish dispute between the airport and the contractors.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of childish
Adjective
  • The report, published in December 2024, cited multiple factors, including the fast fashion business model and immature textile recycling technologies.
    — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Sprouts are essentially immature, miniature plants harvested shortly after germination.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of immature
Noun
  • The juvenile was arrested on Monday and charged with first-degree threatening and breach of peace, according to Barreira.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Authorities searched throughout the evening for a missing juvenile before suspending recovery efforts overnight.
    — Kelsie Cairns , Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of juvenile
Adjective
  • Many have remarked that there is something touchingly infantile in both the watching and the making of a trash movie.
    — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Among them is his baby son, who rests in ‘infantile sublimity, exuding a high gloss induced by early death….
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of infantile
Adjective
  • With Delane back, the Chiefs shut down Achane as Mahomes and company roll against a young and inexperienced defense.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The Miami Dolphins have activated the most experienced, and most inexperienced pass rushers on the roster to address the absence of Chop Robinson for Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of inexperienced
Noun
  • In a poetic blend of reality and imagination, a vivacious Brooklyn teenager strives to reclaim her own fleeting childhood while helping raise her four younger sisters.
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The national phenomenon saw large groups of teenagers gathering in public spaces late at night, which police said posed safety risks and disrupted local businesses.
    — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of teenager
Noun
  • The beach is right there for swimming and paddleboarding when the surf is calm, and the trails through the dunes are manageable for kids old enough to walk them without being carried.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
  • As a kid, his mother would drop him off at Southwick Country Club in Massachusetts on summer mornings on her way to work.
    — Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of kid

Browse Nearby Words

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 1 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on adolescent

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about adolescent

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