adult 1 of 2

noun

Definition of adultnext
as in grown-up
a fully grown person at the beach, the adults sat under broad umbrellas while the children splashed in the water

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

adult

2 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈdəlt How to pronounce adult (audio)
1
as in mature
relating to or typical of adults; displaying proper maturity an adult reaction to the issue

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pornographic
dealing in or with explicitly sexual material an adult magazine

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in matured
fully grown or developed insects that are butterflies in their adult stage

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 adult
Noun
Some 59 million Americans provide care for an adult family member, neighbor or friend, according to a recent report from AARP, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that advocates for people age 50 and older. — Stephanie Dhue,sharon Epperson, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026 There’s also research linking lower-extremity strength to better cognitive function in older adults. — Jenessa Connor, HEALTH, 26 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Justin Vernon’s midwestern charm and pliable falsetto has always endeared him to indie-rock dads raised on Michael McDonald, but starting a family himself between Bon Iver projects turned this year’s Sable, Fable into a deep examination of the fatherly adult contemporary figure in popular music. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025 Corrigan has also appeared in independent non-adult films such as Chillerama and appeared in Gus Van Sant’s Harvey Milk biopic Milk. — Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 29 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for adult
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adult
  1. grown-up
  2. mature
  3. pornographic
  4. matured
  5. elder
  6. erotic
  7. ripe
Noun
  • Over the past few weeks, it's been mostly students, not grown-ups, who have led the opposition to a Camas High cross country runner competing against girls after starting the season on the boys team.
    — Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • While families are very welcome, the overall atmosphere leans more towards a calm and grown-up feel.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of grown-up
Adjective
  • Quinn says that using a sponge can be particularly flattering on mature skin, though the foundation formula and skin preparation are just as important.
    — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The cone’s spikelike axis remains on the branch after the mature cone falls apart.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of mature
Adjective
  • On the day of the $50 million demand, a WeChat chat on one of her phones shows pornographic images arriving and being sent back with Victim-1’s face grafted on, the complaint says.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The filing follows a separate legal battle launched by Meloni in 2024 against a man accused of creating and posting deepfake pornographic images using her likeness.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of pornographic
Adjective
  • Think of this as the matured version of the Kool-Aid dip-dye technique.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2025
Definition of matured
Noun
  • The Nordic communal goal is a focus on holistic well-being that can be sustained over the long term by every individual, from professional athletes in their prime to elders.
    — Lola Akinmade, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Beyond absorbing his elders’ influences, LaFarge’s schoolmates were also impactful.
    — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of elder
Adjective
  • Her portrayal is buoyant and curious, both attuned to and alienated from Mi-ok’s hopes and desires, whether emotional or erotic or material.
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Their research included the study of the erotic novels penned by Spanish writer and fashion designer Álvaro Retana, who also wrote lyrics for saucy songs of the type that Cruz performs in La Bola Negra.
    — Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of erotic
Adjective
  • Measures Of Success Going deeper than ratings or viewing time is key to identifying classic IP that is ripe for relaunch or reinvention.
    — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Rioting, looting and chaos provide Marine Le Pen and her National Rally party with issues ripe for a campaign focused on immigration and public disorder.
    — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of ripe

Browse Nearby Words

adulatory
adult
adulterant
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Cite this Entry

“Adult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adult. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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