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
Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025
Ben spent about a month in juvenile detention.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Connor Greene, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
Hyoung Chang | Denver Post | Getty Images A hospital spokeswoman later told NBC News that one juvenile had died from their injuries, while another was in critical condition.
—Dan Mangan,kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for juvenile
Adjective
The teenagers were not named; three are being held at a juvenile facility.
—Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025
Ben spent about a month in juvenile detention.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
Advertisement Other proposals include lowering the age of juveniles who can be prosecuted as adults from 16 to 14 and allowing the president to appoint the city’s attorney general.
—Connor Greene, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
Hyoung Chang | Denver Post | Getty Images A hospital spokeswoman later told NBC News that one juvenile had died from their injuries, while another was in critical condition.
—Dan Mangan,kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for juvenile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for juvenile
Adjective
-
The Kirks have two young children.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Here’s what each royal inherited from Queen Elizabeth So, the King’s decision to meet with his youngest son doesn’t just put him in direct opposition to Prince William, but also one of his closest advisors.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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For decades, bartenders have been defaming the Mai Tai, debasing it, making and selling versions of the drink that were childish and incomplex, saccharine and flat.—
Jason O'Bryan,
Robb Report,
13 Sep. 2025
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Although childish and superficial, his renaming the Department of Defense as the Department of War doesn’t telegraph a love of peace.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But in recent years, psychologists, sociologists and concerned parents alike have noticed a growing number of young adults who seem caught in this adolescent quicksand — unable or unwilling to take the next step into adulthood.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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Advertisement Advertisement Boston Children’s Hospital was home to the first pediatric and adolescent transgender health program in the nation, according to court documents.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Sign up now and be one of the cool kids.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
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One of my kids once presented a bar graph showing that Taco Tuesday produces 40% more dirty dishes than any other night.—
Dr. Sue Varma,
CNBC,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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There was no data on frequency, dose, or method of cannabis consumption, and only immature eggs, which are less ideal for reproduction, were available for lab experiments.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
10 Sep. 2025
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When immature eggs—known as oocytes, which are eggs that have not yet fully developed to the stage where they can be fertilized—were exposed to THC at levels similar to those detected in patients, researchers observed more frequent chromosome errors.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Clearly frustrated, Palencia gave up five runs and recorded zero outs during the ninth inning of that 6-3 loss to the Washington Nationals, a last-place team with a largely inexperienced and nondescript lineup.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
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Having won five straight Ryder Cups and 12 of the last 13, the American team entered as the heavy favorite despite fielding a relatively inexperienced squad.—
Tim Corlett,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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No one who celebrates the loss of human life should be anywhere near children.—
Amy DeLaura,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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Hence children who develop strong foundational skills early are better equipped to use AI tools beneficially later.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Juvenile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/juvenile. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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