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
The second big night of high school boys hockey section tournament play again went very much according to seed.
—
Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 19 Feb. 2026
Crean Lutheran’s boys basketball team cruised to an 83-58 win over Village Christian on Tuesday in the CIF-SS Division 1 quarterfinals at Crean Lutheran High.
—Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 18 Feb. 2026
When Canty and one of the other boys approached him and asked for $5, Goetz unleashed a barrage of bullets and then fled the scene before police arrived.
—Michael Bobelian, Washington Post, 18 Feb. 2026
Below are The Dallas Morning News’ stats leaders for boys soccer as of February 18.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
Aiming for perfection With 1,344 wrestlers competing at Ball Arena across six different classifications (four for boys and two for girls), 16 individuals who have wrestled at least 20 matches are going for a perfect season.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
Jim Varsallone writes a high school sports column twice a week, featuring top performers in all varsity sports (boys and girls) in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
—Miami Herald Staff Reports, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
The Texas high school boys basketball season is less than two weeks from the playoffs.
—Colby Gordon, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
The local administration said in a social media post that Grygoriy Shykula was killed along with his 2-year-old twin boys and their 1-year old sister.
—Mariia Kashchenko, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 19 Feb. 2026
Crean Lutheran’s boys basketball team cruised to an 83-58 win over Village Christian on Tuesday in the CIF-SS Division 1 quarterfinals at Crean Lutheran High.
—Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 18 Feb. 2026
When Canty and one of the other boys approached him and asked for $5, Goetz unleashed a barrage of bullets and then fled the scene before police arrived.
—Michael Bobelian, Washington Post, 18 Feb. 2026
Below are The Dallas Morning News’ stats leaders for boys soccer as of February 18.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
Aiming for perfection With 1,344 wrestlers competing at Ball Arena across six different classifications (four for boys and two for girls), 16 individuals who have wrestled at least 20 matches are going for a perfect season.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
Jim Varsallone writes a high school sports column twice a week, featuring top performers in all varsity sports (boys and girls) in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
—Miami Herald Staff Reports, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
The Texas high school boys basketball season is less than two weeks from the playoffs.
—Colby Gordon, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
The local administration said in a social media post that Grygoriy Shykula was killed along with his 2-year-old twin boys and their 1-year old sister.
—Mariia Kashchenko, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boys
Noun
-
Thankfully, no nighttime cookies or chocolates await kids to destroy little appetites, and their folks’ patience.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Evans says older celebs now agree to go on either because their kids are fans or because of the show’s massive cultural reach.—
Joy Press,
Vanity Fair,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There will be times when too much time on my hands leads to nonsense, like deep character dives on Instagram regarding the wives of ex-boyfriends.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Kendall Jenner stars in a new Fanatics Sportsbook ad that sees her poking fun at some of her ex-boyfriends.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Police say five to six teenagers and an adult were arrested in the incident.—
Tom Dougherty,
CBS News,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Over five years, the film follows two young Black teenagers in Chicago who get recruited to play basketball at an upscale prep school.—
Eric Farwell,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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
Noun
-
Even when rehearsals began at an old film studio in East London, Daldry and his creative team weren’t sure which lads would make the grade.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Mescal, Keoghan, Quinn, and Dickinson are each headlining their own respective Beatles film, which will dive deep into the minds of the Liverpudlian lads who changed music forever.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Since 1900, the club has served youths ages 5 to 18 through high-quality programs in a safe, supportive environment where young people can learn, grow and have fun.—
Will Richmond,
The Providence Journal,
19 Feb. 2026
-
At a Juvenile Court hearing this week in East Lost Angeles, sheriff’s deputies led shackled defendants into a courtroom reserved for youths accused of serious crimes.—
Matthew Ormseth,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Boys.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boys. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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