as in grown-up
a fully grown person
at the beach, the adults sat under broad umbrellas while the children splashed in the water
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in pornographic
dealing in or with explicitly sexual material
an adult magazine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in matured
fully grown or developed
insects that are butterflies in their adult stage
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of adult
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
From 2011 to 2019, incidence of colon cancer fell by about 1% annually, mainly among older adults.
—Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
oregonlive, 24 Jan. 2023
There wasn’t much room for making mistakes in this version of adulting—which is, of course, the only way to become truly adult.
—Claire Cohen, Vogue, 15 Jan. 2023
See all Example Sentences for adult 
Noun
One is that 60 kilograms, or about 132 pounds, isn’t the average weight of American adults.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
From 2011 to 2019, incidence of colon cancer fell by about 1% annually, mainly among older adults.
—Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
The first whale found this month, a sub-adult male gray whale, was recovered Jan. 11 in Winchester Bay and was slain by killer whales, according to Milstein.
—oregonlive, 24 Jan. 2023
There wasn’t much room for making mistakes in this version of adulting—which is, of course, the only way to become truly adult.
—Claire Cohen, Vogue, 15 Jan. 2023
See all Example Sentences for adult
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adult
Adjective
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That led me to send mature 5-year-old Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey to Singapore, which is oppressively hot and humid 12 months out of the year.Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
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There are also some intense sequences and mature dialogue, including close-call motorcycle chases, explosions, and moments when family is spoken about with a negative connotation.Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
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One refrain in the script is the younger workers repeatedly lecturing their elders — with impunity — to do better.Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
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It's reserved for the sort of elders or other regulars.Laurel Wamsley, NPR, 22 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The film is an erotic thriller with nods to Brian De Palma and Paul Verhoeven, but with a Brazilian twist.Leo Barraclough, Variety, 18 Dec. 2024
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Ryan, then America’s sweetheart and established queen of the rom-com, had around that time changed direction, appearing in Jane Campion’s erotic thriller The Cut, and UK interviewer Michael Parkinson grilled her on her decision to appear nude.Caroline Frost, Deadline, 15 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The flavors were familiar and comfortable together and also representative of the shoulder between winter and spring when citrus is still ripe, but plants are starting to flower and herbs are new again.Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
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State of play: Health administrative tasks are ripe for AI interruption, with several startups raising funds this year.Aaron Weitzman, Axios, 19 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near adult
Cite this Entry
“Adult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adult. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
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