1
as in young
being in the early stage of life, growth, or development
an adolescent sheepdog, who hasn't quite gotten the hang of keeping the sheep huddled together
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in childish
having or showing the annoying qualities (as silliness) associated with children
would hope that the college students had outgrown such adolescent behavior
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in immature
lacking in adult experience or maturity
took a group of adolescent recruits and turned them into professional warriors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in juvenile
Related Words
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 adolescent
Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 23 June 2025
The World Health Organization says that 81 percent of adolescents worldwide do not get enough physical activity, noting that rates of sedentary behavior in young people tend to rise as their country develops economically.
—Henry Abbott, The Atlantic, 12 July 2025
Peter Sands, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
The researchers also found neural precursor cells in each of the child brains and in 12 of the 19 adolescent and adult brains.
—Nora Bradford, Scientific American, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for adolescent
Adjective
Therefore, intermittent fasting is not considered safe for children, adolescents, or people who are pregnant or nursing.14
While skipping breakfast is not safe for everyone, there may be some health benefits.
—Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 23 June 2025
The World Health Organization says that 81 percent of adolescents worldwide do not get enough physical activity, noting that rates of sedentary behavior in young people tend to rise as their country develops economically.
—Henry Abbott, The Atlantic, 12 July 2025
Noun
This is not good enough, particularly for the adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa who account for three-quarters of new infections in their age group.
—Peter Sands, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
The researchers also found neural precursor cells in each of the child brains and in 12 of the 19 adolescent and adult brains.
—Nora Bradford, Scientific American, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for adolescent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adolescent
Adjective
-
This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults.—
Matthew Robinson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
-
Princess Mako, a niece of Japan's Emperor Naruhito (and whose younger brother is the likely next ruler of Japan), married her longtime love, Kei Komuro, in a simple ceremony at a registry office on Oct. 26, 2021.—
Alex Apatoff,
People.com,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
The exchange ended with both men accusing the other of acting childish.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
26 June 2025
-
Compiled from Candace Bushnell’s column of the same name from The New York Observer, the book is a dark and bizarre look at dating in 1990s New York, where men are pathologically childish, cruel, and self-centered, and women are domineering, striving, and manipulative.—
Alice Bolin
June 23,
Literary Hub,
23 June 2025
Adjective
-
At the very worst, an immature 18-year-old makes a horrific decision on a whim to deface his or her torso with a tableau of repulsive images that could potentially cause medical complications later in life.—
Scott Liftman,
Boston Herald,
25 July 2025
-
The researchers showed how the interplay between a baby's rising sleep pressure and immature circadian rhythms can create seemingly erratic nap behavior that, in reality, follows a mathematically predictable pattern.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
At least 41 of those cranes were reported to be juveniles, fresh new recruits from the breeding grounds in and around Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
-
Succi said first responders found that the driver of the vehicle and a juvenile in the backseat were trapped inside and needed to be extricated by fire crews.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
Additionally, some dogs, particularly breeds with extreme infantile traits (such as pugs and French bulldogs), may appear as helpless, harmless, and innocent as small children.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
22 May 2025
-
For a long time, infantile amnesia was thought to be tied to an inability to make memories in infancy.—
Sam Walters,
Discover Magazine,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Villa have already recruited a teenager centre-half this summer after the arrival of Yasin Ozcan from Kasimpasa, who signed a pre-contract agreement in February and joined up with Unai Emery’s squad on July 1.—
David Ornstein,
New York Times,
24 July 2025
-
As a teenager, the budding performer had several run-ins with neighborhood bullies, but always fought back, Lewis said of his father.—
Larry Luxner,
Sun Sentinel,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
And who can forget his time in that MTV reality show alongside his second wife Sharon and his youngest kids.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
24 July 2025
-
In one photo, the former professional athlete could be seen towering over his kids and wearing a white matching set.—
Hannah Sacks,
People.com,
24 July 2025
Noun
-
But Menéndez is concerned that more could have been done, especially with the children’s camps on the river where youngsters slept in cabins with counselors.—
Shimon Prokupecz,
CNN Money,
23 July 2025
-
White said youngsters returning early after school pay $221 while those coming after the last bell are charged $210.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Adolescent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adolescent. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share