as in adult
a fully grown person
once you turn 12, you get to eat with the grown-ups at Thanksgiving
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in grown
to become mature
everyone has to grow up at some point in their lives
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grown-up
Kristina Rutkowski, Footwear News, 22 Sep. 2025
Idealsanxun Wool Plaid Mini Skirt Plaid skirts are prep-school core, but this one feels grown-up, with its structured cut and warm wool blend.
—Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2025
The jasmine and whipped coconut sneak in, giving it a soft floral creaminess that makes the caramel feel grown-up instead of candy-shop.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 12 Sep. 2025
Try incorporating these darker accents through furniture, textiles, or even trim details to create contrast and keep the palette feeling grounded and grown-up.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Sep. 2025
Cherry Stem was designed to feel more complex, sexier, woodier and all grown-up.
—Dahvi Shira, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Just like warm neutrals, rich chocolate brown makes pink feel quite grown-up.
—Lauren Jones, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2025
Another hint that this go-around with Phantom—which arrives two years after the iconic Broadway production ended its 35-year-long run—will be more grown-up?
—Juan A. Ramírez, Vogue, 16 July 2025
But most of it is decidedly and delightfully grown-up.
—David Lyman, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Clark Collis, EW.com, 16 Feb. 2023
Joe Lynch, Billboard, 16 Sep. 2025
The students are often shocked by unapologetic solidarity for Palestine, having grown up in a society dominated by a pro-Israel narrative.
—Philip Metres
august 27, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025
The proud mom, who shares Ricki with her late fiancé Ricky Hendrick, reflected on how much her daughter has grown up for her 19th birthday in 2024.
—Kayla Grant, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Leicester had wanted to sign him on schoolboy terms and that, of course, was tempting for a boy who had grown up in that city.
—Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Kids have grown up with devices in hand, pods in ears.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 14 Aug. 2025
She's grown up to be one of the most dominant high school softball pitchers Arizona has ever seen, leading the Wolves to three straight state titles.
—Richard Obert, AZCentral.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Then, just add dress shoes for a sophisticated, grown-up ensemble.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Footwear News, 22 Sep. 2025
Idealsanxun Wool Plaid Mini Skirt Plaid skirts are prep-school core, but this one feels grown-up, with its structured cut and warm wool blend.
—Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2025
The jasmine and whipped coconut sneak in, giving it a soft floral creaminess that makes the caramel feel grown-up instead of candy-shop.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 12 Sep. 2025
Try incorporating these darker accents through furniture, textiles, or even trim details to create contrast and keep the palette feeling grounded and grown-up.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Sep. 2025
Cherry Stem was designed to feel more complex, sexier, woodier and all grown-up.
—Dahvi Shira, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Just like warm neutrals, rich chocolate brown makes pink feel quite grown-up.
—Lauren Jones, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2025
Another hint that this go-around with Phantom—which arrives two years after the iconic Broadway production ended its 35-year-long run—will be more grown-up?
—Juan A. Ramírez, Vogue, 16 July 2025
But most of it is decidedly and delightfully grown-up.
—David Lyman, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Noun
Reportedly shot for less than $100,000, this tale of Pooh and Piglet all grown-up and running amok recently opened to box office success in Mexico and is currently playing on cinema screens around America.
—Clark Collis, EW.com, 16 Feb. 2023
Verb
Having grown up listening to Groff on the Spring Awakening cast album, Henningsen is thrilled to be immortalized alongside him on the Just in Time cast album (out now on Atlantic — Darin’s longtime label, fittingly).
—Joe Lynch, Billboard, 16 Sep. 2025
The students are often shocked by unapologetic solidarity for Palestine, having grown up in a society dominated by a pro-Israel narrative.
—Philip Metres
august 27, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025
The proud mom, who shares Ricki with her late fiancé Ricky Hendrick, reflected on how much her daughter has grown up for her 19th birthday in 2024.
—Kayla Grant, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Leicester had wanted to sign him on schoolboy terms and that, of course, was tempting for a boy who had grown up in that city.
—Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Kids have grown up with devices in hand, pods in ears.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 14 Aug. 2025
She's grown up to be one of the most dominant high school softball pitchers Arizona has ever seen, leading the Wolves to three straight state titles.
—Richard Obert, AZCentral.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grown-up
Adjective
-
One creator, who goes by @littlemisstippytoes on TikTok, said in a post that before tween media rose to prominence, preteens were either seen as early bloomers for looking more mature, or childish for looking their age.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Start with the largest, most mature stems.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The church later updated guidelines to instruct leaders never to disregard abuse reports and allowed minors to bring a parent or adult to private interviews with local bishops.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Dohn Community High School in Cincinnati offered a credit recovery program for adults and high school classes for students with behavioral issues.—
Bebe Hodges,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
These orchards were devastated in the 2003 Cedar Fire, but have since grown back to their full glory.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Kroger's delivery sales have grown 20% this year, outpacing its overall digital sales growth.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grown-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grown-up. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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