as in grown-up
a fully grown person
at the beach, the adults sat under broad umbrellas while the children splashed in the water
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of adult
Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 29 June 2025
Here’s What the Research Showed The study, funded by the National Mango Board, involved 48 adult men ages 20-60 who had overweight or obesity and chronic low-grade inflammation.
—Lauren Manaker Ms, Health, 28 June 2025
Tara Duggan, San Francisco Chronicle, 6 Mar. 2023
The first whale found this month, a sub-adult male gray whale, was recovered Jan. 11 in Winchester Bay and was slain by killer whales, according to Milstein.
—oregonlive, 24 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for adult
Noun
The force of the crash sent the car’s engine into its front seat, killing all three adult occupants: Mansfield, Brody and Harrison (as well as Mansfield’s chihuahua), according to The New York Times.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 29 June 2025
Here’s What the Research Showed The study, funded by the National Mango Board, involved 48 adult men ages 20-60 who had overweight or obesity and chronic low-grade inflammation.
—Lauren Manaker Ms, Health, 28 June 2025
Adjective
There has not been a sighting of a calf since 2005, though juvenile and sub-adult whales have been seen more recently, Crance said.
—Tara Duggan, San Francisco Chronicle, 6 Mar. 2023
The first whale found this month, a sub-adult male gray whale, was recovered Jan. 11 in Winchester Bay and was slain by killer whales, according to Milstein.
—oregonlive, 24 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for adult
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adult
Adjective
-
That’s a mature skill most people her age aren’t thinking about.—
Beth Wood,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 July 2025
-
Kat James Kat James has had a few lives: as a licensed aesthetician, celebrity make-up artist, and beauty educator; she’s also worked with cosmetics companies, dermatologists, and plastic surgeons on mature skincare and patient relations.—
Carmen Rios,
Flow Space,
7 July 2025
Noun
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The Cost of Delay: Why Timing Matters Every month of delay in implementing comprehensive elder and disability planning increases both financial risk and family stress.—
Matthew F. Erskine,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
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Leech Lake officials asked people to check on their neighbors — in particular elders and people with health conditions.—
Andrew Krueger,
Twin Cities,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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Studios is out with Alicia Silverstone in erotic thriller Pretty Thing as a successful executive in a torrid affair with a younger man (Karl Glusman) who becomes obsessed with her.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
3 July 2025
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The expansion of the genre tracks the broadening acceptability of erotic inclinations that were previously pathologized (and, at times, criminalized).—
Lily Burana,
The Atlantic,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
Use up ripe bananas in this fun twist on a cobbler.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
5 July 2025
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When tomatoes are just ripe, Holland advises placing them in the refrigerator for no more than two days to prevent them from getting too soft.—
Logan Holland,
People.com,
5 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Adult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adult. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
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