ADOLESCENT Synonyms: 137 Similar and Opposite Words

adolescent 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of adolescent

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in immature

lacking in adult experience or maturity took a group of adolescent recruits and turned them into professional warriors

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

adolescent

2 of 2

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

Adjective

Later school starts aren’t a cure for adolescent mental-health problems. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2026 The manga and popular anime series follow adolescent ninja Naruto, who dreams of becoming his community’s protector and leader known as the village ninja. — Matt Minton, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026

Noun

Despite being a high achiever, Veena Dinavahi struggled with anxiety and depression as an adolescent. — Rich Schapiro, NBC news, 20 June 2026 Many factors can lead to substance use among adolescents, experts say, including their peers and family environments. — Avni Trivedi, CNN Money, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for adolescent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for adolescent

Adjective

Upbringing and early career Lily-Rose Depp and her younger brother, Jack, attended school in the United States growing up but also spent significant time in France.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Sep. 2026
He was tasked with holding the movie’s most complex, morally challenging ideas, as a young boy running from trauma and left to decide between danger and redemption.

— David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of young

Adjective

There’s nothing wrong with holding on to childhood and being a little immature from time to time.

— Loren Savini, Allure, 22 Aug. 2026
The acclaimed writer Rachel Cusk’s controversial new novel Life of M is an intimate, unvarnished character study of an A-list movie star who is depicted as hollow, immature and cynical, an intellectual poseur and an artist wannabe.

— Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of immature

Noun

After 25 years, juveniles sentenced to life in prison are entitled to a sentence review, where a judge considers modifying a defendant’s sentence — and weighs evidence of a defendant’s rehabilitation, maturity, remorse and background.

— Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
Gonzalez said investigative procedures do not change because a suspect is a juvenile and that detectives complete their investigations and submit cases to the appropriate prosecutor for consideration.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of juvenile

Adjective

The Holbrook sisters are undersocialized and inexperienced with the world, and Herzog sees them as figures out of a fable, dreamers who talk incessantly about love and seem connected to the elemental and the ancient.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
When someone with 20 years of expertise is willing to look inexperienced for 20 minutes, everyone else gets permission to learn.

— Pankaj Prasoon, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of inexperienced

Noun

The two teenagers spend a summer helping Tomy’s uncle, portrayed by Hannes Perkmann, with milking and other duties, as well as exploring the outdoors.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026
The teenager was identified as Moises Ponce Mendoza on GoFundMe by his mother, Mónica Mendoza.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of teenager

Noun

Davis, his wife and kids painted the picture of a family that had deep, meaningful connections to the heartbeat of this burgeoning southern metropolis in NASCAR country that, like so many cities, places its sports stars on a pedestal.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
My kids loved Sakura, which takes a similarly hopscotching approach to Asia, mixing together Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, and Malaysian on its menu.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of kid

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adolescences

adolescent

adolescents

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Style

“Adolescent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adolescent. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of adolescent

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

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