boys

noun

plural of boy
1
as in kids
a male person who has not yet reached adulthood a giggling little boy ran by

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in boyfriends
a male romantic companion their teenaged daughter has a new boy, and she's just crazy about him

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 boys Republicans tried to use fear tactics (boys playing in girls sports, a burgeoning socialist/communist movement) on issues that most of us are against, not the real issues that concern Americans. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 8 Nov. 2026 Granison and teammate Asher Smith helped Wellington’s boys finish a school-best fourth at state last year before transferring to Jupiter, along with girls’ standout Veronica Metz. — Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026 The other boys involved were not injured and drove the victim to the hospital. — Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 8 Nov. 2026 So at the end of the day, boys and girls were able to talk about it openly. — Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 7 Nov. 2026 One book tells the story of two boys who are thrown into a river and transform into salmon, sharing traditional knowledge and cultural teachings through the Nisenan language. — Conor McGill, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026 Like many boys in Paris’s suburbs, Hugo Yimga-Moukouri had soccer dreams. — Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2026 Miles Teller plays the father of two teenage boys in Paper Tiger. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2026 Little boys tossed a football back and forth along the street while parents watched, sharing food and conversations with those around them. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 1 Nov. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boys
  1. kids
  2. boyfriends
  3. teenagers
  4. beaux
  5. lads
  6. youths
Noun
  • The kids seemed happy with the new adventure, bouncing on the mattress to awaken their dad and introducing themselves to passers-by.
    — Jarret Liotta, Oc Register, 14 Nov. 2026
  • Bondi Beach is a familiar destination for Jackman, who previously spent time there with his ex-wife and their kids.
    — Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 14 Nov. 2026
Definition of kids
Noun
  • And, if so, what will happen to all those chatbot boyfriends?
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
  • People’s responses were also colored by everyone suddenly having lawyers and managers and agents, wives, husbands, boyfriends, girlfriends, friends.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of boyfriends
Noun
  • Meanwhile, Meta has faced lawsuits alleging that its platforms contribute to harmful experiences for children and teenagers.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Hip-hop music blasted over a portable speaker while half-a-dozen teenagers practiced their best breakdancing moves in Senagal's capital Dakar.
    — Ricci Shryock, NPR, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of teenagers
Noun
  • So are their girlfriends and wives, who support their beaus in stadiums and at home.
    — Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Despite some very not-so-subtle hints from yours truly, my past beaus have never gifted me a handbag on Valentine’s Day, either.
    — Michelle Baricevic, InStyle, 26 Jan. 2026
Definition of beaux
Noun
  • How do two middle-class lads in ratty threads, who might very well have both been played by Robert Pattinson, fast-track an appointment with Jesus?
    — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Just as Annette Badland teased to Deadline, Mae’s shares come in clutch from beyond the grave at the Bi-Annual Shareholders’ Meeting, only attended by the three lads from the pub.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of lads
Noun
  • Beautiful youths were shot through the fame cannon at a rate that made Warhol’s fifteen minutes seem like a century.
    — Jessica Craig-Martin, Vanity Fair, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Since 1925, millions of youths have played American Legion baseball.
    — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2026
Definition of youths

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Cite this Entry

“Boys.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boys. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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