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
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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
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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
Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 26 May 2025
David Shannon, who was appointed state’s attorney for the Judicial District of Litchfield in March 2022, oversees prosecutions at Superior Court in Torrington, Torrington Superior Court Geographical Area No. 18 and juvenile matters in Torrington.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 24 May 2025
Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025
There is now a strict curfew in place to deal with the juveniles who have increasingly become more and more emboldened as a result of our weak Attorney General.
—Pilar Arias , Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for juvenile
Adjective
About a week later, a juvenile suspect was arrested in connection with the stabbing.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 26 May 2025
David Shannon, who was appointed state’s attorney for the Judicial District of Litchfield in March 2022, oversees prosecutions at Superior Court in Torrington, Torrington Superior Court Geographical Area No. 18 and juvenile matters in Torrington.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 24 May 2025
Noun
If convicted of murder, a juvenile can be held in prison until age 25.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025
There is now a strict curfew in place to deal with the juveniles who have increasingly become more and more emboldened as a result of our weak Attorney General.
—Pilar Arias , Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for juvenile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for juvenile
Adjective
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Toby Gilroy and Finn Elliott died during a storm after taking their boat to rescue Finn’s younger brother, Kieran Elliot, who was at the towering caves that border the bay.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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While riggers hung massive lights and construction workers assembled the stage on a grueling day before Tyler Childers‘ June 2024 concert at the United Center, three young locals showed up: Cheryl, Larry and Ted.—
Steve Knopper,
Billboard,
9 June 2025
Adjective
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Yolanda’s wake left hundreds of orphans, but even those like Ubaldo whose family had survived had their childish innocence ripped away.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
5 June 2025
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The top is tufted, and the slightly pleated skirt gives it just enough charm without treading into childish territory.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
24 May 2025
Adjective
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Nothing rings more true than the trope of the restless adolescent.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
People.com,
7 June 2025
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Dilly Dally, an adolescent loggerhead, first arrived at the LMC back in January after being attacked by a predator.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
6 June 2025
Noun
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Well, all but Prince Harry, his wife, Meghan Markle, and their two kids.—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz,
StyleCaster,
6 June 2025
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That might mean combing through therapist directories to find out who's accepting new patients nearby or offering to watch their kids during appointments.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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Manipulative or emotionally immature individuals end up exploiting this belief with ease.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
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Nikki, who can be messy and loud and immature, doesn’t always handle that intensity with grace.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
19 May 2025
Noun
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Back in present day, each of their children lay their flower beside candles and a memorial photo as a sign of their eternal love.—
Rosemary Rossi,
Variety,
9 June 2025
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On the face of things, this ruling handed a momentous win to Woldenberg, who attended the hearing with his wife and three grown children, all of whom work for the business.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Juvenile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/juvenile. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.
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