as in maturity
the state of being fully grown or developed
the period between childhood and adulthood is called adolescence
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Recent Examples of adulthood
Pasricha, a gastroenterologist, says her patients' bathroom and bowel education ends during potty training and doesn't continue into adulthood.
—
Berly McCoy, NPR, 13 Apr. 2026
The Season 3 premiere picks up after a five-year time jump, with its previously high school-age characters all exploring early adulthood in different ways.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 13 Apr. 2026
Any hope for a safety net is gone (her mother kicked her out of the house to protect Rue’s younger sister), and the freedom promised in adulthood may be nothing more than a mirage.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2026
Only film-lover Bella retains a shred of optimism into adulthood, having started a new romance with a film usher.
—Charles Lewis Iii, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026
On his 18th birthday, the senior on the Irvine baseball team celebrated adulthood in glorious high school style.
—Martin Henderson, Oc Register, 9 Apr. 2026
Season 3 leaps forward five years, aging its characters out of high school and into a much murkier version of adulthood.
—Precious Fondren, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
The musician and writer represents himself on social media with pictures of Corbin Bleu from High School Musical and crafts songs fraught with unanswered questions about religion and young adulthood.
—H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 9 Apr. 2026
Welcome to adulthood, where the surprises never stop.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Berly McCoy, NPR, 13 Apr. 2026
The Season 3 premiere picks up after a five-year time jump, with its previously high school-age characters all exploring early adulthood in different ways.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 13 Apr. 2026
Any hope for a safety net is gone (her mother kicked her out of the house to protect Rue’s younger sister), and the freedom promised in adulthood may be nothing more than a mirage.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2026
Only film-lover Bella retains a shred of optimism into adulthood, having started a new romance with a film usher.
—Charles Lewis Iii, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026
On his 18th birthday, the senior on the Irvine baseball team celebrated adulthood in glorious high school style.
—Martin Henderson, Oc Register, 9 Apr. 2026
Season 3 leaps forward five years, aging its characters out of high school and into a much murkier version of adulthood.
—Precious Fondren, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
The musician and writer represents himself on social media with pictures of Corbin Bleu from High School Musical and crafts songs fraught with unanswered questions about religion and young adulthood.
—H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 9 Apr. 2026
Welcome to adulthood, where the surprises never stop.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adulthood
maturity
Noun
-
Laddering bonds involves buying multiple issues with different maturity dates and then reinvesting proceeds from maturing bonds.—
Michelle Fox,
CNBC,
13 Apr. 2026
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Capricorns innately carry a sense of emotional maturity and wisdom beyond their years, and Schafer brings that layered complexity to Jule's journey of identity, love and self-discovery.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Adulthood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adulthood. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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