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
The juvenile orca proceeded to eat the smaller fragments while the adults fed on what remained of the split-open body. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 23 July 2026 In July 2024, Ayres saw how a group of orcas, including one juvenile, interacted with a dead sharp-tail sunfish (Masturus lanceolatus) that the group had previously killed. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 23 July 2026
Noun
The juvenile then ate the smaller bits of sunfish that had exploded due to the impact, while the adults fed on what remained of the body, but did not consume the smaller sunfish fragments. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 23 July 2026 One unnamed juvenile is charged with first-degree murder and attempted robbery with a deadly weapon, according to police. — Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 23 July 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
  • As Texas’ public-school enrollment experiences its first non-pandemic enrollment decline in decades, Tarrant County’s pre-K enrollment is also losing its youngest students.
    — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026
  • Additionally, thin or fragile skin can tear or simply not hold designs as well as younger, more elastic skin.
    — Rachel Brown Kirkland, AJC.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of young
Adjective
  • The basics of investing are set out in accessible, but not childish, terms, and the little tutorials are free of any hint of edutainment or corniness.
    — Marie Sapirie, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • The portrait of Musk that emerges here is that of a childish, terminally online man who desires to eliminate the messiness of contemporary life for a more rigid order.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
Definition of childish
Adjective
  • Globally, adolescent girls spend more time than boys performing household chores.
    — Courtney Busch, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • The brain’s reward and emotional systems develop earlier than the executive function centers that provide impulse control, and this imbalance peaks during the adolescent years.
    — J. Todd R. Lawrence, STAT, 27 July 2026
Definition of adolescent
Noun
  • Residents didn’t feel safe walking their dogs down the street, let alone taking their kids to the neighborhood park.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Aliso Beach has a steep drop-off near the shoreline, where several kids took the warnings seriously.
    — Michele Gile, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Definition of kid
Adjective
  • If speed and trust are still presented as a trade-off in 2026, that is a sign of an immature solution, not an inherent limitation.
    — Susan Laine, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • Edamame Edamame are young, immature soybeans harvested early.
    — Eleesha Lockett, Verywell Health, 17 July 2026
Definition of immature
Adjective
  • The Dolphins entered camp with a young and relatively inexperienced group of edge rushers, placing the Michigan product in the unusual position of being asked to help lead others while still fighting to reestablish himself.
    — Tyler M. Carmona July 30, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
  • Others point out working with an inexperienced pitching coach, working behind a bad defense and working without a contract for next season as pieces to the puzzle.
    — Will Sammon, New York Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of inexperienced
Noun
  • Anxiety about data centers, social platforms, children and litigation now sits beside concerns about model safety.
    — Paulo Carvão, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Those allegations had resulted in her losing custody of her children long before the shooting.
    — Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of child

Phrases Containing juvenile

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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 2 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of juvenile for Spanish Speakers

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