Synonyms of grown-up

grown-up 1 of 3

adjective

ˈgrōn-ˌəp 

as in mature

relating to or typical of adults; displaying proper maturity

they have yet to find a grown-up way of handling their marital problems

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mature
• adult

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• adolescent
• immature
• childish
• infantile
• kiddish

grown-up

2 of 3

noun

as in adult

a fully grown person

once you turn 12, you get to eat with the grown-ups at Thanksgiving

Synonyms & Similar Words

• adult
• senior citizen
• middle-ager
• oldster
• elder
• ancient
• graybeard
• old-timer
• senior
• gaffer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• child
• kid
• toddler
• tyke
• infant
• moppet
• cub
• tot
• baby
• tad
• bairn
• adolescent
• youth
• youngster
• juvenile
• minor
• teenager
• teen
• youngling
• tween
• preteen
• teenybopper
• teener
• preteen-ager

grown up

3 of 3

verb

past participle of grow up

as in grown

to become mature

everyone has to grow up at some point in their lives

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grown
• progressed
• aged
• matured
• developed
• ripened
• evolved
• softened
• blossomed
• flourished
• flowered
• got on
• bloomed
• got along
• opened
• mellowed
• unfolded
• advanced
• burgeoned
• grayed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• declined
• deteriorated
• worsened
• sunk
• dried
• degenerated
• faded
• weakened
• decayed
• wasted (away)
• shriveled
• waned
• drooped
• wilted
• flagged
• returned
• withered
• sagged
• reverted
• regressed
• lapsed
• retrogressed
• backslid

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of grown-up

Adjective

Working with sister stylist duo Chloe and Chenelle Delgadillo, Rodrigo has reconstructed her signature looks to feel softer and more grown-up, with outfits drawing from fashion references just as diverse as her musical taste. — Chelsey Sanchez, CNN Money, 25 June 2026

There was something so exciting about holding those glowing wands and feeling just a little grown-up while doing it. — Abby Price, Southern Living, 17 June 2026

Noun

While families are very welcome, the overall atmosphere leans more towards a calm and grown-up feel. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026

Chestnut red is an ingenue all grown-up—matured past apricots and strawberry blonde into something more capable and authoritative. — Loren Savini, Allure, 14 Oct. 2026

Verb

And what’s dramatic about this is that having grown up on a remote mountain farm in the 1940s, away from almost any remnant of civilization, Mikey has zero context for his erotic yearnings. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

Gasper’s father, also named Mickey, had grown up rooting for the Yankees in New Jersey, so Gasper liked them, too. — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026