preadolescence

noun

Definition of preadolescencenext
as in adolescence

Related Words

Relevance

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 preadolescence Instead, the rats concerned acted normally until given their preadolescence doses of THC. — The Economist, 19 Oct. 2019 Yet there’s no better example of the genius of Big Mouth—a comedy that nails the sophomoric physical humor of preadolescence but whose hilarious portrait of puberty is really a mirror held up to adult sexuality—more than what follows. — Judy Berman, Time, 4 Oct. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preadolescence
  1. adolescence
  2. boyhood
  3. girlhood
Noun
  • According to earlier studies, babies who respond more negatively to these tasks have higher levels of depression and anxiety in adolescence.
    — Catherine Demers, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The films form a trio of emotional studies of adolescence shaped by grief.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of adolescence
Noun
  • Hastert’s journey to Congress from his boyhood farm appeared to be the result of fate and luck.
    — Michael Tarm, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Coutinho had been without a club since leaving boyhood club Vasco da Gama.
    — Leon Imber, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of boyhood
Noun
  • There’s something quietly captivating and a little uncomfortable about the pavement snaps of girlhood; some teens accompanied by mothers, others affecting nonchalance, or standing on their hands to get attention.
    — Sheena McKenzie, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026
  • This has been much lamented by those who came to the brand through its commitment to fully realizing American girlhood through history.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of girlhood

Browse Nearby Words

preachy
preadolescence
preadolescences
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Preadolescence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preadolescence. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of fervid

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All