ADULTHOOD Synonyms: 21 Similar and Opposite Words

adulthood

noun

as in maturity

the state of being fully grown or developed the period between childhood and adulthood is called adolescence

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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 adulthood Now, people entering young adulthood and filing taxes will encounter an annual incentive to give that doesn’t require itemizing and that prompts them to learn about how to give back. — Dale Bannon, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Childhood was a distinct phase of life, not just nascent adulthood. — Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026 Thrust into adulthood in a hurry, their travels take them to the wealthiest and poorest neighborhoods in Lagos, New York City and Italy, where their determination to be free runs into a host of roadblocks. — Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 American women may have carried our love of American Girl into adulthood, but the stories remain written only for children. — Tara Strauch, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026 Under its skin, tattoos is a tale of growth, the bumpy path into adulthood, and relationships that come and go. — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2026 Now, with Thomas and Zoe beginning college, Quaid is watching his youngest children take their next steps into adulthood. — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026 But Japan’s experience suggests what can happen when a bunch of young people who did everything right to prepare for adulthood find the fruits of adulthood deferred, en masse. — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2026 Tovey stars as Anthony Selvon, a polarizing self-help influencer with a dangerous message for young men nearing adulthood – embrace hypermasculinity and hate on women. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for adulthood

maturity

Noun

Over time, however, the construct of critical thinking has expanded to encompass personal development, emotional reflection, and dispositional traits such as inquisitiveness, self-confidence, and maturity.

— Ted Ladd, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Her coach at the academy, Daniel Gomez, told me that he was immediately struck by the maturity of her game.

— Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of maturity

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adultery

adulthood

adulthoods

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

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Synonyms of adulthood

noun

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