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
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026
For families While the crowd skews more grown-up, little ones are also welcome, and there are some small cots, high chairs, and toys available for children.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Inside The Limited XT feels like a grown-up Subaru cabin - useful, roomy and not fussy.
—Josh Max, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Today’s new wave of halter tops feels grown-up and refined, reimagined in sleek, streamlined shapes that have become fixtures everywhere from the runway to the red carpet — and across the vacation wardrobes defining Euro-summer style.
—Lauren Fisher, Footwear News, 30 May 2026
As luck would have it, that noncommittal length is also very chic and grown-up.
—Loren Savini, Allure, 22 May 2026
Use those fresh plum tomatoes from the farmers' market for this fun, grown-up mac and cheese recipe.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 7 May 2026
Footwear with impeccable manners and a very special kind of poise is grown-up in the best sense of the word.
—Alex Sales, Glamour, 5 Apr. 2026
On an album of spectral love songs, the DJ and producer’s misty dream pop feels bigger, bolder, and decidedly grown-up.
—Shaad D’souza, Pitchfork, 21 Mar. 2026
Clark Collis, EW.com, 16 Feb. 2023
Heidi Blake, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
Many of today’s media consumers have grown up consuming media in seconds-long bursts, and the industry is still trying to develop strategies to connect with these viewers, said Puente, who began teaching at CSUF in 2006.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 25 May 2026
Although Buffington is a native Californian, Jayne had grown up in Hampton Bays and never imagined leaving the area behind.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 24 May 2026
Williams moved to North Hollywood with his family in 1947, having grown up in Queens.
—Tim Greiving, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
People who have grown up watching YouTube programs and following TikTok figures feel more comfortable with such personalities, says Magid.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
In some communities, a generation has grown up without any memory of pristine water or air — and given their lack of education, little reason to mourn it.
—Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
But you are grown up, and well aware that these are now generated mechanically.
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
Morgan had grown up outside of Philly and attended UPenn.
—Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The new edible notes are warmer, richer and far more grown-up than the cotton candy era that defined early 2010s gourmands.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026
For families While the crowd skews more grown-up, little ones are also welcome, and there are some small cots, high chairs, and toys available for children.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Inside The Limited XT feels like a grown-up Subaru cabin - useful, roomy and not fussy.
—Josh Max, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Today’s new wave of halter tops feels grown-up and refined, reimagined in sleek, streamlined shapes that have become fixtures everywhere from the runway to the red carpet — and across the vacation wardrobes defining Euro-summer style.
—Lauren Fisher, Footwear News, 30 May 2026
As luck would have it, that noncommittal length is also very chic and grown-up.
—Loren Savini, Allure, 22 May 2026
Use those fresh plum tomatoes from the farmers' market for this fun, grown-up mac and cheese recipe.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 7 May 2026
Footwear with impeccable manners and a very special kind of poise is grown-up in the best sense of the word.
—Alex Sales, Glamour, 5 Apr. 2026
On an album of spectral love songs, the DJ and producer’s misty dream pop feels bigger, bolder, and decidedly grown-up.
—Shaad D’souza, Pitchfork, 21 Mar. 2026
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
John had grown up in Bedfordshire, not far from the Tates, and as a young woman had opened a swimwear store called Sandstorm Boutique.
—Heidi Blake, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
Many of today’s media consumers have grown up consuming media in seconds-long bursts, and the industry is still trying to develop strategies to connect with these viewers, said Puente, who began teaching at CSUF in 2006.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 25 May 2026
Although Buffington is a native Californian, Jayne had grown up in Hampton Bays and never imagined leaving the area behind.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 24 May 2026
Williams moved to North Hollywood with his family in 1947, having grown up in Queens.
—Tim Greiving, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
People who have grown up watching YouTube programs and following TikTok figures feel more comfortable with such personalities, says Magid.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
In some communities, a generation has grown up without any memory of pristine water or air — and given their lack of education, little reason to mourn it.
—Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
But you are grown up, and well aware that these are now generated mechanically.
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
Morgan had grown up outside of Philly and attended UPenn.
—Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grown-up
Adjective
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Other parts of the Norton have more mature Griffin acquisitions, including a Rothko, a de Kooning, and a small Pollock.—
Gary Sernovitz,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
-
Zou noted that one major challenge is the lack of a mature software and algorithm ecosystem capable of fully utilizing photonic hardware.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
15 June 2026
Noun
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About six in ten AAPI adults say America used to be a great place for immigrants but isn’t anymore, reflecting mounting doubt about belonging even among longtime residents and citizens.—
Terry Tang,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
-
Children are well catered for, adults can oscillate between wellness and mild debauchery, and the sheer variety of spaces means groups can coexist without being on top of one another.—
Arion McNicoll,
TheWeek,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
The organization, which is part of AI intelligence firm 10a Labs, also pointed to how the sheer number of active opposition groups has grown sharply, doubling year-on-year to 833 across 49 states.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
14 June 2026
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Powered by a new investment package unveiled by Rio Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere at confab Rio2C in May, Rio de Janeiro’s goal to further bolster its film and TV industries has grown ever more tangible.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grown-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grown-up. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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