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
Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
The bow mania that reached a crescendo early last year has subsided, and while that aesthetic was rooted in the nostalgia of girlhood, this one feels more grown-up.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 21 Oct. 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
There’s something thrillingly grown-up about the conversations that Alex and Tess have.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
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
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
Cherry Stem was designed to feel more complex, sexier, woodier and all grown-up.
—Dahvi Shira, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Clark Collis, EW.com, 16 Feb. 2023
Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Morgan had grown up outside of Philly and attended UPenn.
—Literary Hub, 21 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 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
Katelaine McGee, founder of Katelaine McGee Interiors in Dallas, Texas, strongly recommends swapping out your grommet-style drapes with pinch pleats for a look that’s timeless, elegant, and just as grown-up as you.
—Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
The bow mania that reached a crescendo early last year has subsided, and while that aesthetic was rooted in the nostalgia of girlhood, this one feels more grown-up.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 21 Oct. 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
There’s something thrillingly grown-up about the conversations that Alex and Tess have.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
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
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
Cherry Stem was designed to feel more complex, sexier, woodier and all grown-up.
—Dahvi Shira, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 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
Maci Bookout's son is all grown up!
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Morgan had grown up outside of Philly and attended UPenn.
—Literary Hub, 21 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 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
-
Logging throughout the Southeast took more than mature pines from the landscape.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
Nashville Tennessean,
30 Oct. 2025
-
This presents an untapped opportunity for African nations to monetize their mature forests and pristine wetlands, which are particularly prized for carbon capture.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
By comparison, close to 20% of adults in the United States used tobacco in 2022, and almost 12% of adults in the United Kingdom were smokers in 2023.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The story ends with a brilliant twist that will surprise and delight kids and adults.—
Caroline Carlson,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Following the game, green-dot linebacker Nick Bolton said the Bills’ plan has become one his Chiefs have grown to expect.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
3 Nov. 2025
-
On the other, the ability for bad actors to exploit those ballooning piles of data has grown in tandem.—
Leo Schwartz,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grown-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grown-up. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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