juvenile 1 of 2

adjective

ˈjü-və-ˌnī(-ə)l How to pronounce juvenile (audio)
Definition of juvenilenext
1
as in young
being in the early stage of life, growth, or development a juvenile alligator just hatched from its egg

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2
as in childish
having or showing the annoying qualities (as silliness) associated with children throwing a tantrum is rather juvenile behavior for a person of your age

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3
as in adolescent
lacking in adult experience or maturity a spoiled, juvenile golfer who does not know how to win gracefully

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juvenile

2 of 2

noun

as in kid
a young person who is between infancy and adulthood a medical study that followed juveniles through adolescence and into adulthood

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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 juvenile
Adjective
One crab can eat more than 40 juvenile soft-shell clams in a day, while also destroying seagrass habitats. — Victoria Malloy, Time, 21 Oct. 2026 The facility also houses many juveniles from Mecklenburg County, which has lacked its own juvenile detention center since Sheriff Garry McFadden closed Jail North in 2022. — Nora O’Neill 21, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026
Noun
In the livers of urban fish, 425 genes in juveniles and 585 in adults showed activity largely linked to inflammation and immune system responses that was not seen in damselfish living in clean, untouched reef areas. — New Atlas, 9 Oct. 2026 Lowe said a white shark nursery reappeared for the first time since 2011 in Santa Monica Bay, where juveniles frolic without bothering humans. — Daniel Trotta, Arkansas Online, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for juvenile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for juvenile
  1. young
  2. childish
  3. adolescent
  4. kid
  5. immature
  6. inexperienced
  7. child
Adjective
  • Video on social media showed distressed shopkeepers begging young men to stop stealing their inventory—and those young men pushing them aside to grab shoes and food from their shelves.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Such laws would require third-party audits of social media algorithms to identify any harmful patterns, such as serving eating-disorder content to young girls more than to other groups.
    — Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of young
Adjective
  • Forty-nine percent of Americans, and 60% of millennials, sometimes feel judged for enjoying things considered childish.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Memoirs proceeds from there with that simultaneous posture of high-minded openness and a childish giggle.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of childish
Adjective
  • This placed adolescent Danny right in the center of 1950s Hollywood.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Plans include growing its psychiatry residency, expanding adolescent psychiatry fellowships, and launching an addiction medicine fellowship to prepare future specialists.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of adolescent
Noun
  • The South is cheapest for young kids For families with young children, annual costs are lowest across much of the South.
    — Martie Bowser, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • When Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour stopped in London in 2024, the Prince of Wales wanted a photo with his kids and the world-famous singer.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of kid
Adjective
  • The connective tissue between different models remains immature, and real transformation depends on it.
    — Chris Koehler, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Edamame Edamame, or immature soybeans, is naturally rich in both protein and fiber.
    — Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of immature
Adjective
  • Right tackle Joe Alt (neck) and left guard Kayode Awosika (fibula) remain out, meaning rookie center Jake Slaughter will continue to anchor a front that has featured several inexperienced players over the last two games.
    — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • These experienced and skilled athletes, who are often 22 or 23 years old, are appealing to coaches, especially when compared with inexperienced and physically less developed freshmen.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of inexperienced
Noun
  • Its spacious third row remains a particularly compelling advantage for families who regularly transport several adults or older children.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026
  • People with chronic health conditions, pregnant women, young children and anyone 65 or older are at higher risk of developing complications from the flu, and Turner urged anyone fitting those categories to take extra precautions this season.
    — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of child

Phrases Containing juvenile

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juvenescent
juvenile
juvenile delinquent
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Cite this Entry

“Juvenile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/juvenile. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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