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
Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026
The novel isn’t just a story about the cruel policing of female adolescent sexuality.
—Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
Dan Robson, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
An innate knack for pinball catapults him from reticent adolescent to celebrity savior.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for adolescent
Adjective
But this poignant adolescent moment is undercut by their desperation.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026
The novel isn’t just a story about the cruel policing of female adolescent sexuality.
—Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
As an adolescent in the Bay area, Celebrini spent a lot of time at the Warriors practice facility with his father, getting close to an NBA team filled with household names.
—Dan Robson, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
An innate knack for pinball catapults him from reticent adolescent to celebrity savior.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for adolescent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adolescent
Adjective
-
The Modernist is friendly, drawing a mostly millennial mix of young families, gay couples, and girls trips.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
-
In all, through injuries and midweek rest for veterans, Varas started five players who are 20 or younger.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Gombrowicz never really ‘assimilated’ to life in Argentina, partly due to the unique and unprecedented circumstances that brought him there in the first place, but also because of his naturally irreverent and at times even childish attitude towards literary establishment.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
-
The literature on adolescence marks middle school as a turning point, a time when kids begin to pull away from their parents, discard childish pursuits, and pursue, full thrust, the exhausting project of individuation.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
There’s so much regulation coming our way aimed at removing any sort of greenwashing, but even if that is successful, the customer is still immature.—
Elektra Kotsoni,
Vogue,
8 May 2026
-
On top of that, the immature grubs chew through grass roots and create dead patches in your lawn.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Gorilla families are usually made up of one male, several females and the juveniles.—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
-
Overland High School was immediately put on lockdown, and the student was arrested on investigation of possessing a handgun as a juvenile and possession of a weapon on school grounds, police said.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
That now seemed an infantile idea.—
Chang-rae Lee,
New Yorker,
3 May 2026
-
Not for infantile name calling.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Another risk is infection from non-sterile equipment, which might happen if the procedure is done by inexperienced technicians or in non-medical settings, Hazan says.—
Erica Sweeney,
Time,
11 May 2026
-
The other strong selling point is that the inexperienced videographer doesn't have to fiddle with a load of settings before recording.—
David Szondy
May 09,
New Atlas,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
The bottom seven teams in the league do not seem to have aspirations to compete, and more than a few teenagers now dot these rosters in a clear gambit to get in early on rising talent.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
Both teenagers are hiding secrets; Johnny, a potentially career-ending injury, and Shannon, a troubled and violent home life.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
The bill would specifically forbid practices that Black Bear, the Stars and other companies have used to monopolize and vertically integrate the youth sports experience in hockey and beyond, driving up costs for families and pricing out many kids.—
Kenny Jacoby,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
-
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort also offers plenty of family-friendly activities, including lessons for kids and childcare services.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Adolescent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adolescent. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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