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
Jason Henry, Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
Williams, at age 40, is too old to be incarcerated in juvenile custody, and that should translate into release from prison.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2026
In Gwinnett County, police released body camera video that shows dozens of teens running through the Gwinnett County Mall on March 28 as officers move in, which led to the arrest of two adults and seven juveniles.
—Kaley Fedko, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for juvenile
Adjective
The other, filed by Bonta’s office, is seeking to have the county’s juvenile detention system placed under receivership.
—Jason Henry, Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
Williams, at age 40, is too old to be incarcerated in juvenile custody, and that should translate into release from prison.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
Two juveniles ran in and stole alcohol.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2026
In Gwinnett County, police released body camera video that shows dozens of teens running through the Gwinnett County Mall on March 28 as officers move in, which led to the arrest of two adults and seven juveniles.
—Kaley Fedko, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for juvenile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for juvenile
Adjective
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Boasting the third-youngest roster in the NBA, the growing pains are going to be unavoidable.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
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California lawmakers want schools to include nicotine in drug tests already given to student-athletes, some as young as seventh graders.—
Brady Halbleib,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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That’s as childish an expression as the show ever shares.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
13 Apr. 2026
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The use of childish internet and video-game memes to describe violence is coarse and unworthy of the men and women who go in harm’s way.—
Eliot A. Cohen,
The Atlantic,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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All adolescent boys are exposed to the manosphere; not all spot its most notorious avatar driving through their city in a luxury car, as Alex recently did.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
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Approximately 16% of adolescent and young adult cancer survivors who stayed cancer-free for at least five years are at high risk, compared to about 12% of people in the same age group without cancer.—
Tesfaye Negussie,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Choose from a big assortment of polish, gift sets, treatments and polish for kids.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
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The first generation of parents to have resorted, at least occasionally, to mollifying their children by putting digital screens in their hands has now seen those kids grow up.—
Jeannie Suk Gersen,
New Yorker,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
When a tight’s game’s final third arrived, the Pirates resembled an immature team.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
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Among other things, his fouling out in Game 3 of the 2024 Finals against the Celtics series in a semi-intentional fit of frustration was wildly immature for a great player in his sixth season.—
Tim Cowlishaw,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Almost every hunt includes something the inexperienced would count a close call.—
Dr. C. E. Kuschel,
Outdoor Life,
9 Apr. 2026
-
In 2025, McLaren driver Lando Norris had a season that started very similar to Russell’s 2026, with a Melbourne victory in the class-leading car, only to be quickly overhauled by a more inexperienced teammate.—
Alex Kalinauckas,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The couple's adult children from previous relationships are meeting this weekend, sources told TMZ.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
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Parents will be held accountable if their children are caught violating the city code.—
Terell Bailey,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Juvenile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/juvenile. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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