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 In the book, Cathy is essentially setting up two boys to get in trouble. — Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026 Role playing difficult situations at home prepares boys to intervene in the moment. — Katie Hurley, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026 The new law would allow girls to play on a boys’ team only if the sport is not offered for girls. — The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 8 Oct. 2026 Related Stories Set in Yunlin County on Taiwan’s southwest coast, the film follows two boys whose friendship comes under pressure as adult conflicts divide their community. — Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026 Video of the incident obtained by CBS News Baltimore showed one student being picked up, carried and dragged by other boys inside the locker room. — CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026 There are little kids — boys and girls who are being inspired by our team. — Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boys
  1. kids
  2. boyfriends
  3. teenagers
  4. beaux
  5. lads
  6. youths
Noun
  • Conversely, Morio is desperate to have kids, but any effort to discuss the topic with his wife is quickly dismissed.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Presumably, kids are still writing sketches in their basements and delivering jokes about cafeteria food into hairbrushes.
    — Dan Brooks, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of kids
Noun
  • Four of my old boyfriends appeared because of what has happened to me.
    — Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The book is set around three years after the events of Heated Rivalry and sees Shane and Ilya as secret boyfriends while both play for Canadian hockey teams.
    — Tiffany Kelly, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of boyfriends
Noun
  • The widespread use of arrests, tear gas and riot-control weapons against teenagers is fueling defiance and angering some parents and teachers.
    — NICOLAS GARRIGA, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The resort lends itself to rest and relaxation, but teenagers could certainly keep themselves busy with the endless activities on offer.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 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
  • 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
  • There's a multitude of Gucci wearers in the world, spanning bratty aristocrats, the new bourgeois, and lads buying outlet merchandise.
    — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of lads
Noun
  • French youths have been demonstrating over poor conditions at school buildings, and analysts expect unrest to intensify after a teenager’s hand was blown off by a riot police sting grenade.
    — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The group has asked conference leaders to pause the sponsorship and the NCAA to review energy drink marketing to youths in general, citing the deaths of three children including Davis, a 16-year-old from South Carolina.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of youths

Browse Nearby Words

boyos
boys
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Cite this Entry

“Boys.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boys. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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