grown-up 1 of 3

adjective

ˈgrōn-ˌəp How to pronounce grown-up (audio)
Definition of grown-upnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
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
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 See All Example Sentences for grown-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grown-up
  1. mature
  2. adult
  3. grown
Adjective
  • Then again, even if this is as good or better than Peacemaker, two mature live-action TV shows won’t be enough to revive DC at movie theaters, especially when the next movie coming to the big screen is hardly a family-friendly affair.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
  • An unknown person has been poisoning mature pine trees at Burnt Cedar Beach in Incline Village since 2022, with 16 more trees targeted this July and August — a case some suspect involves a wealthy resident trying to improve their view of Lake Tahoe.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of mature
Noun
  • Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said an adult woman and a teenage boy were found dead inside a Martha Lane home after a well-being check was requested by another member of the household.
    — Brandon Truitt, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Excelencia in Education’s recent 2026 Latino College Completion analysis finds just less than 30% of Latino adults in Georgia have earned an associate degree or higher, compared with more than 45% of white adults — an attainment gap over 15%.
    — Deborah Santiago, AJC.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of adult
Verb
  • After more than four decades under the same president, questions about his leadership have only grown.
    — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Still, the streamer’s stock is down 35% from a year ago, as competition from other platforms has grown.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of grown

Browse Nearby Words

grown (in)
grown-up
grown up
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Cite this Entry

“Grown-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grown-up. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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