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
  • After the last practices and meetings ahead of their Friday night lights, around seven or eight brawny, youthful teenagers walk into Top Speed for a primer session.
    — PJ Green October 14, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026
  • In August, 16 teenagers were arrested for trespassing at the Congress.
    — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 14 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
  • The fighting involved armed youths from the Pakam community in Rumbek North County fighting against armed youths of the Nyang community in Rumbek Central County, both part of the Dinka ethnic group.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Approximately 18% of all Latino high school students have seriously contemplated suicide and 42% of Latino youths reported constantly feeling sad or hopeless, recent congressional studies found.
    — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 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 16 Oct. 2026.

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