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
Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 1 Oct. 2025
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
Clark Collis, EW.com, 16 Feb. 2023
Mckinley Franklin, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
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
Adjective
While some corn mazes are perfect for all ages and include activities especially for younger kids, others are more grown-up and may prove too scary or challenging for little ones.
—Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 1 Oct. 2025
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
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
In April 2024, Alix took part in a trend that highlighted how much her younger sister had grown up.
—Mckinley Franklin, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
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
-
The company’s solid oxide fuel cells are a mature technology that have been developed over two decades.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
-
So mature, his conviction, his instincts, his fearlessness, and to give something which is so different yet so connecting.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Actis was arrested in Davidson County and charged with exploitation of an elder adult and felony larceny, police said.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Research has also found that high-protein breakfasts help to stabilize blood sugar, reduce mid-morning energy slumps, support metabolism and maintain muscle mass, especially in older adults.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Posed with a slight smile, the now 8-year-old has shed the long, bouncy curls Drake fans had grown accustomed to.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Brown has grown frustrated with his usage in the team's offense, and both parties may be headed for a split.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grown-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grown-up. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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