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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of juvenile
The Editors, National Review, 29 Apr. 2025
The youth was brought to the juvenile detention facility prior to a hearing.
—Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2025
Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 1 May 2025
On March 12, Cleveland police were called for reports of a disturbance where some juveniles were socializing after school, the lawsuit said.
—Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for juvenile
Adjective
As always, Trump is buoyed by his firm grip on the GOP and the noxious and juvenile nature of his opposition.
—The Editors, National Review, 29 Apr. 2025
The youth was brought to the juvenile detention facility prior to a hearing.
—Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
The non-juvenile students will be arraigned, while the juveniles will proceed to family court, the district attorney said.
—Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 1 May 2025
On March 12, Cleveland police were called for reports of a disturbance where some juveniles were socializing after school, the lawsuit said.
—Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for juvenile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for juvenile
Adjective
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The current players are too young to remember those days, although Brunson’s father, Rick, was a reserve for the Knicks in the 1999 and 2000 playoffs.—
Tim Casey,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2025
-
Kids too young for chewables might instead be prescribed drops or gels.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
17 May 2025
Adjective
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The angular clock hands and classic-leaning clock face protect this personality piece from becoming gimmicky or childish, and instead remaining sophisticated and tasteful.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
31 Mar. 2025
-
See, the issue here isn’t that a college dude did a dumb, childish thing.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The teenage triggerman was aiming at an adolescent rival who had punched him moments earlier, police said.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
13 May 2025
-
One of a handful of practicing physicians in the state legislature, Weber Pierson is leaning heavily on her experience as a pediatric and adolescent gynecologist who treats children with reproductive birth defects — one of only two in Southern California.—
Kaiser Health News,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2025
Noun
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For Stowell, his wife and three kids, including his son who was younger than 10, entrance to Hollywood Studios cost $974.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
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The masking divide sometimes triggered uncomfortable tensions among peers, deepening feelings of isolation for kids already struggling with unprecedented disruptions.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
Many organizations grapple with obstacles such as disconnected data, internal roadblocks, misaligned objectives across teams and immature processes.—
Mithun A. Sridharan,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
-
And anybody that thinks otherwise is just being foolish and immature and childish.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
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While recording a commercial focused on hopes for one’s children, the script struck a personal chord.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
-
What happens to the children of mixed-status families or those in the middle of complex legal proceedings?—
Vilerka Bilbao,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Juvenile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/juvenile. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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