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
Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 7 May 2026
For families There are no age restrictions for younger guests, although the atmosphere is quite calm and grown-up plus there are no specific children’s amenities or facilities in the restaurant.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 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
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
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
Tim Greiving, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
Once an assistant to Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), the sequel finds Andy all grown up and crossing paths with Miranda years later.
—Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 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
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
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
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
For families There are no age restrictions for younger guests, although the atmosphere is quite calm and grown-up plus there are no specific children’s amenities or facilities in the restaurant.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 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
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
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
Williams moved to North Hollywood with his family in 1947, having grown up in Queens.
—Tim Greiving, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
Once an assistant to Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), the sequel finds Andy all grown up and crossing paths with Miranda years later.
—Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 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
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
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
-
His earliest mature paintings, often filled with snarling creatures arranged in chaotic formations, started to include monochromatic backgrounds that became a staple in his art.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
11 May 2026
-
Cut-and-come-again is a gardening practice that involves harvesting only the outer, mature leaves of the plant, leaving young leaves or root systems alone.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
The top pool level is reserved for adults.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 May 2026
-
PulteGroup broke ground on Carolina Ridge, a 670-acre community in Midland that will add 1,110 homes — split between family housing and a 55-plus active adult community — about 25 miles east of Charlotte.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Yet, even as its population has contracted, the problem Rikers presents has grown.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
-
Wormwood Like rue, wormwood is another medicinal herb that’s typically grown as an ornamental these days and enjoyed for its delightfully pungent aroma.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grown-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grown-up. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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