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
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
But this 100% cotton design is graceful and all grown-up, featuring split corners, decorative stitching, and a tidy silhouette.
—Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 19 Feb. 2026
Drinks feel just as grown-up, shifting away from sweet sips like sodas (a 2025 staple) and sugary mixed drinks toward options like sparkling water with citrus, martinis (with an olive or onion, of course), savory cocktails, and bloody Marys or Caesars.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Feb. 2026
For families While certain areas of Zash feel distinctly grown-up, the citrus groves are hide-and-seek heaven, the pool is open enough to keep one eye on a brood with the other on a glass of Donna Fugata, and a sensible approach to timings makes the restaurant fair game too.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
Powder Blue and Burgundy Powder blue sometimes gets a bad rep for being associated with a juvenile baby blue, but one way to give it a more grown-up and sophisticated appearance is by pairing it with a bold and serious color.
—Tessa Cooper, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2025
While science, interstellar exploration and the far-reaching depths of space can feel a little complicated and 'grown-up', a love of the universe is a, well, universal experience.
—Grace Dean, Space.com, 18 Dec. 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, 19 Oct. 2025
Clark Collis, EW.com, 16 Feb. 2023
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
Now grown up, Siwa opened up on Alex Cooper's Call Her Daddy podcast in April 2024 about the impact her financial success has had on her family.
—Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 19 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
By the early 1980s the chain’s core audience was grown up and the chain sought to rebrand itself for adults.
—Fielding Buck, Oc Register, 16 Feb. 2026
At 26 years old, Shipka has grown up onscreen.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
But you are grown up, and well aware that these are now generated mechanically.
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
Karolidis had grown up in a low-slung duplex.
—Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2026
Morgan had grown up outside of Philly and attended UPenn.
—Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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
But this 100% cotton design is graceful and all grown-up, featuring split corners, decorative stitching, and a tidy silhouette.
—Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 19 Feb. 2026
Drinks feel just as grown-up, shifting away from sweet sips like sodas (a 2025 staple) and sugary mixed drinks toward options like sparkling water with citrus, martinis (with an olive or onion, of course), savory cocktails, and bloody Marys or Caesars.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Feb. 2026
For families While certain areas of Zash feel distinctly grown-up, the citrus groves are hide-and-seek heaven, the pool is open enough to keep one eye on a brood with the other on a glass of Donna Fugata, and a sensible approach to timings makes the restaurant fair game too.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
Powder Blue and Burgundy Powder blue sometimes gets a bad rep for being associated with a juvenile baby blue, but one way to give it a more grown-up and sophisticated appearance is by pairing it with a bold and serious color.
—Tessa Cooper, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2025
While science, interstellar exploration and the far-reaching depths of space can feel a little complicated and 'grown-up', a love of the universe is a, well, universal experience.
—Grace Dean, Space.com, 18 Dec. 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, 19 Oct. 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
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
Now grown up, Siwa opened up on Alex Cooper's Call Her Daddy podcast in April 2024 about the impact her financial success has had on her family.
—Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 19 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
By the early 1980s the chain’s core audience was grown up and the chain sought to rebrand itself for adults.
—Fielding Buck, Oc Register, 16 Feb. 2026
At 26 years old, Shipka has grown up onscreen.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
But you are grown up, and well aware that these are now generated mechanically.
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
Karolidis had grown up in a low-slung duplex.
—Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 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
-
Now, gravel paths and barefoot-friendly concrete pavers wind through mature oak trees, gently waving grasses, and structured succulents, leading to distinct seating and dining areas.—
Elizabeth Jardina,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Apr. 2026
-
After establishing herself as a leading actress in teen films, Stiles transitioned into more mature roles, including her work in the Bourne film series alongside Matt Damon and later on television in the Showtime series Dexter.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Vince wrote his and Linda’s adult children, Shane and Stephanie, into the spectacle.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Also, the child will need to be on a reservation with an adult.—
Jason Stauffer,
CNBC,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The office already had a backlog, which has now grown to about twenty-five thousand cases.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The snakes are prolific, extremely difficult to find, deadly to native wildlife and have grown to 19 feet in length in Florida.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grown-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grown-up. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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