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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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of juvenile
Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
As deputies focused on Hairston, the second juvenile, 15-year-old Junior Bishop, allegedly jumped into the truck and sped away.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
The driver, identified as 60-year-old Darnell Hairston, was traveling with two juveniles, according to a release from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for juvenile
Adjective
Brandishing a silver revolver, Garcia reportedly confronted two men who had earlier come to the aid of a juvenile Garcia was allegedly harassing, according to the news release.
—Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
As deputies focused on Hairston, the second juvenile, 15-year-old Junior Bishop, allegedly jumped into the truck and sped away.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
Braintree Police arrested two juveniles allegedly involved in a movie theatre carjacking Friday.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
The driver, identified as 60-year-old Darnell Hairston, was traveling with two juveniles, according to a release from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for juvenile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for juvenile
Adjective
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Most people who get sick recover within a week, but infections can be severe in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.—
Kiki Intarasuwan,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
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Yu says his early experiences led him to chase achievement as a way of protecting a younger version of himself.—
Ernestine Siu,
CNBC,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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When Smith drives us in the golf cart, hunched close to the wheel, a look of childish mischief spreads over his face.—
Sam Kestenbaum,
Vulture,
2 Jan. 2026
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The ensuing power struggle between Woody and Buzz threatens to put their owner’s childish things away forever in Pixar’s debut feature.—
Chris Snellgrove,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced major changes to its childhood and adolescent immunization schedule, an age-by-age guide for health care providers on when to vaccinate children to protect them from preventable diseases.—
Liz Regalia,
Parents,
8 Jan. 2026
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The show channels a certain energetic, zany sense of humor viewers could recognize from their own adolescent friendships and antics, culminating in a five-season run and a 2021–2023 revival on Paramount+.—
Will Harris,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Here, a look at the new kids on the block, arriving just in time for the season.—
Laurie Brookins,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Jan. 2026
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Elk Grove city leaders are now taking steps to ban kids from parking off campus.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Its audience, once immature teenagers, is now made up of immature middle-aged people — plus a whole lot of new immature teenagers.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
8 Jan. 2026
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The bacterial illness, called infant botulism, occurs when babies ingest spores of the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, which can grow in their immature digestive systems and produce toxin.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
15 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Ten of the top 15 quarterbacks in the portal have already committed, and after that top tier, many of the remaining quarterbacks available are either young, inexperienced passers from Power 4 programs or starters from Group of 5 or FCS schools.—
Sam Khan Jr,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2026
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According to the University of Massachusetts Global, teacher turnover results in a large number of inexperienced teachers being placed in classrooms, meaning more money is put toward recruiting, hiring and training.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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If your children do homework at the kitchen table instead of their bedrooms, find a spot to keep school supplies handy.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
10 Jan. 2026
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Questioning the powerful influences that oversee and fund what our children learn is critical.—
SHELLEY SMITH SPECIAL TO THE DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE,
Arkansas Online,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Juvenile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/juvenile. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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