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
Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
When attacking adult or adolescent males, Sandel said the chimpanzees use collective violence.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 9 Apr. 2026
Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Mar. 2026
The brave teen tried to deescalate the situation but Rivas, 45, turned the knife on the boy instead, stabbing the adolescent in the neck, shoulder and cheek, prosecutors said.
—Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for adolescent
Adjective
During the same period, 14 additional Central adolescent and adult males disappeared — their bodies never recovered, with no signs of illness.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
When attacking adult or adolescent males, Sandel said the chimpanzees use collective violence.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
Unfolding in 1870s Oxford with adventures abroad, the series will expose the early antics of the anarchic adolescent who is yet to evolve into Baker Street’s most renowned resident.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Mar. 2026
The brave teen tried to deescalate the situation but Rivas, 45, turned the knife on the boy instead, stabbing the adolescent in the neck, shoulder and cheek, prosecutors said.
—Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for adolescent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adolescent
Adjective
-
The virus is highly contagious and can infect nearly all young children, according to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID).—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The Hochsteins share two young children together.—
Anna McAllister,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That’s as childish an expression as the show ever shares.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The use of childish internet and video-game memes to describe violence is coarse and unworthy of the men and women who go in harm’s way.—
Eliot A. Cohen,
The Atlantic,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
When a tight’s game’s final third arrived, the Pirates resembled an immature team.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Among other things, his fouling out in Game 3 of the 2024 Finals against the Celtics series in a semi-intentional fit of frustration was wildly immature for a great player in his sixth season.—
Tim Cowlishaw,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In the indictment, four others, including two unnamed juveniles, are also listed in connection to Chyna’s case.—
Veronica Fulton,
NBC news,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The juveniles — around 5 and 6 feet long — like the sandy shallow waters that keep them safe from predators, and the plentiful food of stingrays and small sharks that live near shore, Lowe noted.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Not for infantile name calling.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Among them was a treatment option for infantile hypophosphatasia, a rare form of rickets that makes children’s bones dangerously fragile.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Almost every hunt includes something the inexperienced would count a close call.—
Dr. C. E. Kuschel,
Outdoor Life,
9 Apr. 2026
-
In 2025, McLaren driver Lando Norris had a season that started very similar to Russell’s 2026, with a Melbourne victory in the class-leading car, only to be quickly overhauled by a more inexperienced teammate.—
Alex Kalinauckas,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The family of a 17-year-old Texas cheerleader has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a distributor of a popular energy drink, saying the teenager died from an enlarged heart caused by ingesting large amounts of caffeine.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Somewhere within him is the spirit of the patriotic teenager and the careful lower-court judge who rejected any notion of party loyalty or judicial agenda.—
Peter S. Canellos,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Bisceglia says those families should not have to roll the dice when choosing care for some of the state's most vulnerable kids.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
At just 10 years old, London Woodard radiated a gentle worldliness his family believed exceeded that of any other kid.—
Audrey Pachuta,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Adolescent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adolescent. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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