grown-up 1 of 3

as in mature
relating to or typical of adults; displaying proper maturity they have yet to find a grown-up way of handling their marital problems

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

grown-up

2 of 3

noun

grown up

3 of 3

verb

past participle of grow up

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 grown-up
Adjective
Another hint that this go-around with Phantom—which arrives two years after the iconic Broadway production ended its 35-year-long run—will be more grown-up? Juan A. Ramírez, Vogue, 16 July 2025 But most of it is decidedly and delightfully grown-up. David Lyman, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 A lot of fans will have grown-up during this time, just like the Stranger Things kids. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025 Suffice to say, the film proves impressively grown-up about how far Bull must go to atone for his behavior. Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 June 2025 Think freshwater pearl accents, delicate gold box chains, and grown-up takes on the vibrant beads that once ruled summer camp. Lauren Alexis Fisher, Footwear News, 30 May 2025 As for your son himself, surely he is grown-up and intelligent enough to have sympathy for the family’s financial constraints, rather than resentment. Judith Martin, Mercury News, 20 May 2025 Hence, grown-up Chris is a nomadic misfit with two talents: sharpshooting and solving quadratic equations. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025 For anyone feeling lost, old, or generally confused as to what the hell’s going on, here’s a grown-up’s guide to all the references and moments in A Minecraft Movie that are driving fans wild. Issy Van Der Velde, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
Reportedly shot for less than $100,000, this tale of Pooh and Piglet all grown-up and running amok recently opened to box office success in Mexico and is currently playing on cinema screens around America. Clark Collis, EW.com, 16 Feb. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grown-up
Adjective
  • Twenty-one mature Yoshino cherry trees along Riverfront Park were literally on the chopping block in March 2019 to make room for a temporary NFL Draft stage.
    Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 19 July 2025
  • Weisz says to choose a changing table that is mature enough for the older children in the space, as well as a dresser below to remain functional and stylish long after the baby is out of diapers.
    Nina Derwin, Architectural Digest, 18 July 2025
Noun
  • Bags are $23, and each person (children and adults) must purchase a bag to enter the orchard.
    Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 24 July 2025
  • The survey also showed that 55 percent of U.S. adults believed the president had gone too far in deporting immigrants living in the country illegally.
    Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • The Jordan Brand has grown beyond just a basketball shoe.
    Jason Jones, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
  • But most impressive of all for Chenoweth is seeing how the brand has grown.
    Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Grown-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grown-up. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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