as in boy
a male person who has not yet reached adulthood
the young boxer looked like a mere stripling next to his larger, more seasoned opponent
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Recent Examples of stripling
More important still, thrilling these ultra-cultured striplings means winning over mom and dad, too.
—
Devorah Lev-Tov, Robb Report, 25 June 2023
In Dunst’s hands, Antoinette is naturally happy, an excitable stripling full of life — the sort of protagonist you’d root for simply because the performer inhabiting her is so agreeable.
—Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2021
Best-selling author Margaret George has just published a novel repackaging the Roman emperor Nero, whose name has evoked mayhem and recreational pyromania for the past 2,000 years, as a misunderstood stripling.
—Joe Queenan, WSJ, 5 May 2017
Devorah Lev-Tov, Robb Report, 25 June 2023
In Dunst’s hands, Antoinette is naturally happy, an excitable stripling full of life — the sort of protagonist you’d root for simply because the performer inhabiting her is so agreeable.
—Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2021
Best-selling author Margaret George has just published a novel repackaging the Roman emperor Nero, whose name has evoked mayhem and recreational pyromania for the past 2,000 years, as a misunderstood stripling.
—Joe Queenan, WSJ, 5 May 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stripling
Noun
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In the Commonwealth Athletic Conference, Andy Batista dropped 30 points as Lynn Tech (5-4) routed Whittier 94-40 in boys basketball action.—
Brian Roach,
Boston Herald,
14 Jan. 2026
-
One of the men, like Baldwin, had been a boy preacher.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The six-foot-tall Angeleno lad whom Sample met in Capri was a characteristic product of early-twentieth-century Southern California, with its blend of hyper-capitalist energies and bohemian vibes.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
21 Dec. 2025
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Guardiola’s lads look back to their best in the early months of this season after the extended wobble in the previous one that wrecked their hopes of a fifth straight domestic title.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The teenager, who was left blind after the tragedy, died a week after accomplishing his goal to attend the University of Utah.—
Daniel S. Levine,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
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As Arnoldo’s undocumented father, Arnulfo Bazan Carrillo, drove off, the terrified teenager began filming on his phone.—
Nicole Foy,
ProPublica,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
If packing your kids’ lunch for school was an Olympic sport, my mother would have been a gold medalist every year.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
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This can be as simple as displaying your kids' art on the fridge or as involved as involving your partner in paint choices.—
Tessa Cooper,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Choose the one that works best for your adolescent.—
Dr. Theresa T. Nguyen,
Boston Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
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Driscoll’s workbook on mental health care for children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes also walks through various strategies, including communication and problem-solving skills.—
Lauren J. Young,
Scientific American,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stripling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stripling. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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