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
Synonyms & Similar 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
Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2025
Asha Patton-Smith, MD, child and adolescent psychiatrist at Kaiser Permanente in Virginia, adds a child could be struggling due to social pressures, burnout, or just an overly-competitive environment.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 7 Mar. 2025
USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025
That said, science shows that there are opportunities throughout development to provide children, adolescents, and the adults who care for them with the relationships, environments, and skill-building activities that will enhance their executive functioning skills capacities.
—Charell G. Coleman, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adolescent
Adjective
Yet despite overwhelming research supporting better sleep policies – such as delaying school start times to align with adolescent biology and the adoption of permanent standard time – these issues remain largely overlooked in public policy discussions.
—Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2025
Asha Patton-Smith, MD, child and adolescent psychiatrist at Kaiser Permanente in Virginia, adds a child could be struggling due to social pressures, burnout, or just an overly-competitive environment.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
Older children, adolescents and even adults who don't have evidence of immunity should get two doses of the MMR vaccine.
—USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025
That said, science shows that there are opportunities throughout development to provide children, adolescents, and the adults who care for them with the relationships, environments, and skill-building activities that will enhance their executive functioning skills capacities.
—Charell G. Coleman, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adolescent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adolescent
Adjective
-
There were children as young as three years old having their first experience on the slopes to seasoned skiers whizzing down steep trails.—
Brittany Vickers,
Essence,
18 Mar. 2025
-
Lowey announced her retirement shortly after Mondaire Jones, a young progressive, announced a primary challenge against her in 2019.—
Ron Kampeas,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The Empire is a manifesto opposing the most corrupt, childish film genre.—
Armond White,
National Review,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Trump Turnberry calls pro-Palestinian group's actions a 'childish, criminal act' Police in Scotland said officers were investigating after receiving a report about the golf course being damaged around 4:40 a.m., a spokesperson for the department told Reuters and Fox News.—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA TODAY,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The series follows the (fictional) famous televangelist family of the Gemstones, led by widowed patriarch Eli (played by John Goodman) alongside his immature children Jesse (Danny McBride), Judy (Edi Patterson) and Kelvin (Adam DeVine).—
Kirsten Chuba,
The Hollywood Reporter,
6 Mar. 2025
-
The son of a Russian oligarch, Vanya is immature, perpetually stoned, and supposed to be using his time in the States to study.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The juveniles gliding through the North Yuba today recently hatched from eggs that were deposited by scientists last fall.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
28 Feb. 2025
-
The juveniles were each issued a summons and released to their parents.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
If this is correct, is there a connection between song and the most basic infantile communication?—
Aaron Shattuck,
Scientific American,
18 Feb. 2025
-
The infantile abomination that is The Boss Baby is the most unhinged example of the studio’s manic folly.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
As a teenager, Clementine began taking a more serious interest in fashion and had the opportunity to watch her mother make her return to the Versace runway in Milan Fashion Week in September 2023.—
Jackie Tempera,
People.com,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Saint Patrick was actually British, captured by Irish pirates and enslaved as a teenager to work as a shepherd.—
Maureen Murphy,
Hartford Courant,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Stalwarts like Magic and Pokemon have seen recent surges in popularity and profitability, thanks to not just new fans but ones who played these games as kids returning to the fold with more disposable income.—
Rob Wieland,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
-
The grown-ups are mired in bitter memories of the past, while the kids seem on the verge of forging some future bitterness of their own.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
But his injury is a tough blow to a team that hoped to use the final month of the season to continue developing its youngsters.—
Josh Robbins,
The Athletic,
14 Mar. 2025
-
The bottom line: LLMs are like youngsters who have read a lot but do not have experience of the world.—
Scott Rosenberg,
Axios,
13 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Adolescent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adolescent. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share