1
as in young
being in the early stage of life, growth, or development
a juvenile alligator just hatched from its egg
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in childish
having or showing the annoying qualities (as silliness) associated with children
throwing a tantrum is rather juvenile behavior for a person of your age
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in adolescent
lacking in adult experience or maturity
a spoiled, juvenile golfer who does not know how to win gracefully
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in kid
a young person who is between infancy and adulthood
a medical study that followed juveniles through adolescence and into adulthood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 juvenile
Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025
Perhaps because the birds had flown north, no one thought at first that this juvenile wanderlust might be an expression of a latent migratory instinct.
—Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
Jon Haworth, ABC News, 29 Jan. 2025
So far, a total of 30 adults and one juvenile were cited for Disorderly Conduct or Failure to Disperse, and three adults were charged.
—Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for juvenile 
Adjective
Baltazar and the juvenile suspect are being held in custody, authorities said.
—Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025
Perhaps because the birds had flown north, no one thought at first that this juvenile wanderlust might be an expression of a latent migratory instinct.
—Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
Noun
Over 100 juveniles attend massive boozy house party at school principal's home: Police
Sabapathy was a Toronto native and accomplished gymnast with over 120 medals, was majoring in exercise and sport science at Temple’s College of Public Health, school administrators said.
—Jon Haworth, ABC News, 29 Jan. 2025
So far, a total of 30 adults and one juvenile were cited for Disorderly Conduct or Failure to Disperse, and three adults were charged.
—Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for juvenile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for juvenile
Adjective
-
And fellow young Republicans are celebrating having one of their own join the executive branch for the first time.—
Savannah Kuchar,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
-
Questioning the boundaries of Mexican identity is a recurring concern amongst younger Mexican artists working today.—
Harrison Jacobs,
ARTnews.com,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
And also Gary's behavior back towards Glenn on that was just quite a bit childish.—
Gina Ragusa,
EW.com,
3 Feb. 2025
-
Your brother’s behavior is passive-aggressive and childish.—
Jeanne Phillips,
The Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Jeanne is 15, a restless adolescent among a tribe of younger children in an orphanage in the mountains where she is first seen wandering at dusk, her way lit by the snow’s reflective glitter.—
Stephanie Bunbury,
Deadline,
16 Feb. 2025
-
Sleep regressions, toddler tantrums, adolescent mood swings — yes, parenting has its challenges.—
Malaka Gharib,
NPR,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Scammers — with access to kids’ names and school information — are tricking parents into paying for bogus SAT and ACT prep materials.—
Jan Diaz,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Trump’s executive order that would, if enacted, withhold federal funding from institutions, including medical schools and hospitals, that provide gender affirming-care to kids is also creating concern among institutions providing that type of treatment.—
Katy Golvala,
Hartford Courant,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
These clowns dressed as presidents appear immature and narcissistic.—
Nancy Tartaglione,
Deadline,
9 Feb. 2025
-
A lot of us automatically use certain emotionally immature phrases without even thinking about it.—
Kathy and Ross Petras, Contributors,
CNBC,
1 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
In recent days, judges have pumped the brakes on Trump’s efforts to freeze spending, cull the federal workforce, end automatic citizenship for children born on U.S. soil, send transgender women to men’s prisons and dismantle the United States Agency for International Development.—
Josh Meyer,
USA TODAY,
10 Feb. 2025
-
At that point, with two young children — daughter Kasey and Ben — Don and Gail decided college coaching wasn’t compatible with the family’s goals.—
Brad Biggs,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to juvenile
Thesaurus Entries Near juvenile
Cite this Entry
“Juvenile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/juvenile. Accessed 23 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share