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
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Recent Examples of boys
Despite having a target on its back this winter, Malden Catholic’s boys basketball squad has lived up to its billing.
—
Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
For the past decade, the public charter school has been serving boys from fourth to eighth grades, with the goal of preparing them for careers in high school and college.
—Denise Koch, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
JSerra’s boys soccer team started play last week in the Trinity League.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 7 Jan. 2026
Here’s a look at the most popular baby names for boys and girls in San Diego County in 2025.
—Jayne Yutig, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
When the couple welcomed their twin boys, Raffie and Wilder, the doting dad based in the United Kingdom began intentionally recording and documenting those small moments.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
The Hurricanes were the bad boys before college football knew what bad boys were.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
Parents and alumni of Jesuit High School in Carmichael are doggedly fighting back against the Catholic all-boys school’s recent decision to begin accepting girls in 2027.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 12 Nov. 2025
Every Christmas, Craig Geekie bought Morgan, the oldest of his three boys, a new CCM.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
For the past decade, the public charter school has been serving boys from fourth to eighth grades, with the goal of preparing them for careers in high school and college.
—Denise Koch, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
JSerra’s boys soccer team started play last week in the Trinity League.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 7 Jan. 2026
Here’s a look at the most popular baby names for boys and girls in San Diego County in 2025.
—Jayne Yutig, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
When the couple welcomed their twin boys, Raffie and Wilder, the doting dad based in the United Kingdom began intentionally recording and documenting those small moments.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
The Hurricanes were the bad boys before college football knew what bad boys were.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
Parents and alumni of Jesuit High School in Carmichael are doggedly fighting back against the Catholic all-boys school’s recent decision to begin accepting girls in 2027.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 12 Nov. 2025
Every Christmas, Craig Geekie bought Morgan, the oldest of his three boys, a new CCM.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boys
Noun
-
In May 2025, Chris shared a photo of Mel with their three kids in celebration of Mother’s Day.—
Ariana Quihuiz,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
-
That was a big benefit for Chef Johan Jensen, co-owner of Whitecrest Eatery in Stonington Borough, Connecticut, who, after initially experimenting with it from a culinary perspective, was attracted to beef tallow to cook cleaner for his kids.—
Bridget Shirvell,
Martha Stewart,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
There's a lot of change and also new friends, new friendship grounds and the idea of boyfriends.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Having now been back together with their shitty boyfriends for … a week?—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
19 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Now 58 years old, Smart was in her early twenties when she was convicted for being an accomplice to the murder of her husband Gregory Smart, which was carried out by several teenagers including a 15 year-old boy Smart was having an affair with.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The military presence in Hawkins is completely gone one year later — without any repercussions for the teenagers who killed several of its members.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Guardiola’s lads look back to their best in the early months of this season after the extended wobble in the previous one that wrecked their hopes of a fifth straight domestic title.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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At their gigs in London’s massive Wembley Stadium and in Manchester’s Heaton Park, lads cried and moshed and showered each other in beer and cider and more questionable liquids.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
In the grim depths of stagnation, in late October 1982, a group of Soviet youths gather in Tallinn and form the punk band Velikije Luki.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Nov. 2025
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Net proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit local charities, including the Vista Blind Center, Guide Dogs for the Blind, the Blind Stokers Club and will go toward purchasing eyeglasses for local youths.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Boys.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boys. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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