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
Relevance
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
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
Outside, 3 Nov. 2025
The two men and the juvenile practiced shooting at multiple gun ranges in September and October, the complaint said.
—Chloe Atkins, NBC news, 3 Nov. 2025
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025
The severity of the injuries are unknown, Sinopoli said, adding that both adults and juveniles were hurt.
—Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for juvenile
Adjective
Known as Moctezuma’s pod, this group of orcas have developed a unique strategy for hunting juvenile white sharks in the Gulf of California.
—Outside, 3 Nov. 2025
The two men and the juvenile practiced shooting at multiple gun ranges in September and October, the complaint said.
—Chloe Atkins, NBC news, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
Researchers plan to conduct a detailed survey to confirm whether these orcas regularly hunt white sharks or only exploit seasonal surges of juveniles.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025
The severity of the injuries are unknown, Sinopoli said, adding that both adults and juveniles were hurt.
—Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for juvenile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for juvenile
Adjective
-
The group, mainly millennials and young Gen Xers, grew up in the internet era and recognize how technology can switch up the status quo.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Despite the absentees, Arteta had experienced players like Ben White, Piero Hincapie and Christian Norgaard to call upon, as well as exciting young talent like Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The brand is seeing an upswing post-pandemic, as these childish styles, long favored in Asia-Pacific countries like Japan and South Korea, become increasingly popular in China and the West.—
Lucy Maguire,
Vogue,
30 Oct. 2025
-
She’s fallen under the sway of a fashionable worldview in which logic is paramount, and the realm of emotion and magic and even dæmons is just childish fancy.—
Lev Grossman,
The Atlantic,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
No adolescent defiance or child’s anguish was visible on his face now.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Read more about the adolescent biology of sleep patterns.—
NPR,
NPR,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The driveway was already full of other cars arriving and various parents and kids taking photos like crazy and squealing.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
-
They were married in 1968, with Miguel Bezos adopting her young son, and had two more kids, Christina and Mark.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
After potting, pick off any flowers or immature fruit.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Move over manchildren, there are some women who would like to take your immature crown.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Jokic didn’t overtake Jamal Murray as Denver’s leading scorer until their seventh game of the season, after a 33-point performance Wednesday against a Miami Heat frontcourt that was woefully undersized and inexperienced the instant Bam Adebayo exited with a foot injury.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Henderson has struggled in that role as a rookie, and Jennings is inexperienced at the pro level.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Under the public trees, children ran exultantly between cars.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Villages have been burned, civilians executed, and children targeted.—
Kim Aris,
Time,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Juvenile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/juvenile. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share