1
as in young
being in the early stage of life, growth, or development
a juvenile alligator just hatched from its egg
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in adolescent
lacking in adult experience or maturity
a spoiled, juvenile golfer who does not know how to win gracefully
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in kid
a young person who is between infancy and adulthood
a medical study that followed juveniles through adolescence and into adulthood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of juvenile
Liz Peek, Washington Post, 4 May 2026
Both Gina and Mark were charged with one count of cruelty to a juvenile, and Mark was also charged as a principal to cruelty to a juvenile, according to jail records viewed by PEOPLE.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
Chandler Boese, Kansas City Star, 3 May 2026
Two juveniles have been arrested in connection with shots fired in the area of Bowen Court and Regent Street in Elgin, officials said.
—Courier-News, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for juvenile
Adjective
Today, Mamdani’s juvenile attack on Ken Griffin will very likely encourage others currently on the fence to abandon New York.
—Liz Peek, Washington Post, 4 May 2026
Both Gina and Mark were charged with one count of cruelty to a juvenile, and Mark was also charged as a principal to cruelty to a juvenile, according to jail records viewed by PEOPLE.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
Noun
Two adults and four juveniles were taken to area hospitals, and the driver of the Toyota was pronounced dead.
—Chandler Boese, Kansas City Star, 3 May 2026
Two juveniles have been arrested in connection with shots fired in the area of Bowen Court and Regent Street in Elgin, officials said.
—Courier-News, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for juvenile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for juvenile
Adjective
-
The Modernist is friendly, drawing a mostly millennial mix of young families, gay couples, and girls trips.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
-
In all, through injuries and midweek rest for veterans, Varas started five players who are 20 or younger.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Gombrowicz never really ‘assimilated’ to life in Argentina, partly due to the unique and unprecedented circumstances that brought him there in the first place, but also because of his naturally irreverent and at times even childish attitude towards literary establishment.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
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The literature on adolescence marks middle school as a turning point, a time when kids begin to pull away from their parents, discard childish pursuits, and pursue, full thrust, the exhausting project of individuation.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
What supports adolescent contribution?—
Jen Agans,
The Conversation,
8 May 2026
-
For any adolescent, a private bedroom is both sanctuary and mood board.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
The bill would specifically forbid practices that Black Bear, the Stars and other companies have used to monopolize and vertically integrate the youth sports experience in hockey and beyond, driving up costs for families and pricing out many kids.—
Kenny Jacoby,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
-
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort also offers plenty of family-friendly activities, including lessons for kids and childcare services.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
There’s so much regulation coming our way aimed at removing any sort of greenwashing, but even if that is successful, the customer is still immature.—
Elektra Kotsoni,
Vogue,
8 May 2026
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On top of that, the immature grubs chew through grass roots and create dead patches in your lawn.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Raman, who had endorsed Bass’ reelection before throwing her hat in at the last minute, came off as inexperienced, touchy and unprepared.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
They were throttled from start to finish, giving a young and inexperienced Spurs team plenty of confidence that Monday’s loss was nothing more than a fluke.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
These could simply be great-grandparents put peacefully to rest in old age, a kind of grief far removed from that which children feel over parents who simply cannot care for them, or parents lost to murder or addiction, as some of the letters describe.—
Casey Cep,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
-
At least 168 people were killed, including 110 children.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Juvenile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/juvenile. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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