juvenile 1 of 2

adjective

ˈjü-və-ˌnī(-ə)l How to pronounce juvenile (audio)
Definition of juvenilenext
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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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

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3
as in adolescent
lacking in adult experience or maturity a spoiled, juvenile golfer who does not know how to win gracefully

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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

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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
Adjective
Even tiny, young stars will eat up to 18 juvenile sea urchins each day. — John Ryan, NPR, 16 Aug. 2026 The sharks were identified as juvenile spiny dogfish, a small species of shark commonly found along the Atlantic coast. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2026
Noun
According to a message that school officials sent to parents, the juveniles may have been trespassing on the campus. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Aug. 2026 State police are investigating an incident in a classroom at a youth correctional center where a juvenile was allegedly involved in an altercation with a teacher. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for juvenile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for juvenile
  1. young
  2. childish
  3. adolescent
  4. kid
  5. immature
  6. inexperienced
  7. child
Adjective
  • Prince Harry was already set to be in Britain next month for an annual ceremony run by WellChild, a charity that cares for seriously ill children and young people in the UK.
    — Max Foster, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The tinted windows looked out onto the courts where Richardson trained some of the best young female players in the Rio Grande Valley, but the glass was one-way, and from outside, nothing that happened in the room was visible.
    — Molly Hensley-Clancy, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of young
Adjective
  • There is a playful feeling to many PATTARAPHAN pieces, but this is not childish work.
    — Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • And also settling a very childish dispute between the airport and the contractors.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of childish
Adjective
  • The manga and popular anime series follow adolescent ninja Naruto, who dreams of becoming his community’s protector and leader known as the village ninja.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Once dismissed as overly sweet, hyper-feminine, or adolescent, the best gourmand fragrances have since evolved.
    — Danielle James, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of adolescent
Noun
  • The 34-year-old gave birth there to all three kids, Levi, 5, Elijah, 3, and Rae, who turns 1 in September.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Just as many people can’t afford to have someone else clean their homes, landscape their yards or nanny their kids, those struggling to make ends meet may need to lean on AI assistance.
    — Billy J. Stratton, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of kid
Adjective
  • There’s nothing wrong with holding on to childhood and being a little immature from time to time.
    — Loren Savini, Allure, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The acclaimed writer Rachel Cusk’s controversial new novel Life of M is an intimate, unvarnished character study of an A-list movie star who is depicted as hollow, immature and cynical, an intellectual poseur and an artist wannabe.
    — Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of immature
Adjective
  • Their quest is complicated by Hampton Squib, an inexperienced and wildly underprepared adventurer whose dream of heroism far exceeds his abilities.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Bass, who finished about 5 points ahead of Raman in the June primary, sought to portray her challenger as an inexperienced outsider who would struggle to build support at City Hall.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of inexperienced
Noun
  • The strike in the town of Zawaida also wounded at least five other people, including a child, according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital, which received the casualties.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Moore, a 47-year-old elementary school teacher, had spent most of his career teaching children around Summer’s age.
    — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of child

Phrases Containing juvenile

Browse Nearby Words

juvenescent
juvenile
juvenile delinquent
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Cite this Entry

“Juvenile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/juvenile. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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