Synonyms of juvenile

juvenile 1 of 2

adjective

ˈjü-və-ˌnī(-ə)l 

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

• young
• immature
• youthful
• adolescent
• teenage
• youngish
• inexperienced
• subadult
• infantile
• minor
• childish
• embryonic
• underage
• preteen
• emergent
• childlike
• flowering
• puerile
• burgeoning
• callow
• babyish
• green
• ephebic
• undeveloped
• unfinished
• unripe
• infantine
• unformed
• kiddish
• unfledged
• raw
• flourishing
• blooming
• unripened
• blossoming

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• adult
• mature
• older
• old
• senior
• elderly
• geriatric
• matured
• ancient
• aged
• senescent
• aging
• long-lived
• oldish
• grown-up
• full-blown
• full-fledged
• ripe
• golden
• mellow
• ripened
• middle-aged
• senile
• over-the-hill
• doddering
• decrepit
• spavined
• anile
• tottery

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

• childish
• immature
• adolescent
• infantile
• babyish
• puerile
• jejune
• kiddish
• girlish
• boyish
• innocent
• childlike
• simple
• unsophisticated
• bratty
• brattish
• simplistic
• naive
• girlie

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• adult
• mature
• grown-up
• sophisticated
• experienced
• knowing
• smart
• worldly
• cosmopolitan
• unchildlike
• worldly-wise

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

• adolescent
• immature
• inexperienced
• young
• puerile
• callow
• unfledged
• unripe
• youthful
• green
• unformed
• unripened
• infantile
• childish
• wet behind the ears
• raw
• babyish
• innocent
• naive
• girlish
• boyish
• youngish
• infantine
• infantilized
• unsophisticated
• maidenly
• kiddish
• virginal
• ingenuous
• untrained
• juvenescent
• untried
• unseasoned
• unknowing
• tender

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• adult
• mature
• ripe
• experienced
• advanced
• precocious
• grown-up
• sophisticated
• worldly
• knowing
• savvy
• worldly-wise

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• kid
• child
• chick
• youth
• adolescent
• cub
• teenager
• youngster
• kiddie
• teen
• moppet
• baby
• monkey
• bud
• kiddo
• youngling
• sprat
• whelp
• infant
• bairn
• sprout
• toddler
• minor
• squirt
• chap
• bambino
• newborn
• neonate
• preschooler
• schoolboy
• schoolchild
• weanling
• kindergartner
• schoolkid
• schoolgirl
• nestling
• tyke
• urchin
• rascal
• jackanapes
• whippersnapper
• bantling
• rug rat
• teenybopper
• preteen
• tween
• cherub
• rapscallion
• rogue
• teener
• tot
• mischief
• lad
• hellion
• imp
• babe
• stripling
• subteen
• nipper
• tomboy
• shaver
• devil
• tad
• hoyden
• bobby-soxer
• preteen-ager

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• adult
• grown-up
• elder
• senior citizen
• ancient
• oldster
• old-timer
• middle-ager
• senior
• golden-ager

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of juvenile

Adjective

Another study found that a juvenile record can hurt an applicant’s employment opportunities. — Charles Wratto, The Conversation, 27 Oct. 2026

Proceedings opened this week in a case that’s shone a spotlight on Japan’s treatment of juvenile suspects. — Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

Noun

When the children didn't answer, the report said Carranza struck one of the juveniles on the side of the head with the base of the gun's grip. — Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 29 Oct. 2026

Recently affirmed as a distinct species related to the ever-pricey Tyrannosaurus rex, rather than a juvenile of it, Jodi couldn’t best its distant cousin at auction. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 28 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing juvenile

• juvenile delinquent