as in adult
a fully grown person
once you turn 12, you get to eat with the grown-ups at Thanksgiving
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in grown
to become mature
everyone has to grow up at some point in their lives
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grown-up
Juan A. Ramírez, Vogue, 16 July 2025
But most of it is decidedly and delightfully grown-up.
—David Lyman, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
A lot of fans will have grown-up during this time, just like the Stranger Things kids.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Suffice to say, the film proves impressively grown-up about how far Bull must go to atone for his behavior.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 June 2025
Think freshwater pearl accents, delicate gold box chains, and grown-up takes on the vibrant beads that once ruled summer camp.
—Lauren Alexis Fisher, Footwear News, 30 May 2025
As for your son himself, surely he is grown-up and intelligent enough to have sympathy for the family’s financial constraints, rather than resentment.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 20 May 2025
Hence, grown-up Chris is a nomadic misfit with two talents: sharpshooting and solving quadratic equations.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025
For anyone feeling lost, old, or generally confused as to what the hell’s going on, here’s a grown-up’s guide to all the references and moments in A Minecraft Movie that are driving fans wild.
—Issy Van Der Velde, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2025
Clark Collis, EW.com, 16 Feb. 2023
Adjective
Another hint that this go-around with Phantom—which arrives two years after the iconic Broadway production ended its 35-year-long run—will be more grown-up?
—Juan A. Ramírez, Vogue, 16 July 2025
But most of it is decidedly and delightfully grown-up.
—David Lyman, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
A lot of fans will have grown-up during this time, just like the Stranger Things kids.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Suffice to say, the film proves impressively grown-up about how far Bull must go to atone for his behavior.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 June 2025
Think freshwater pearl accents, delicate gold box chains, and grown-up takes on the vibrant beads that once ruled summer camp.
—Lauren Alexis Fisher, Footwear News, 30 May 2025
As for your son himself, surely he is grown-up and intelligent enough to have sympathy for the family’s financial constraints, rather than resentment.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 20 May 2025
Hence, grown-up Chris is a nomadic misfit with two talents: sharpshooting and solving quadratic equations.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025
For anyone feeling lost, old, or generally confused as to what the hell’s going on, here’s a grown-up’s guide to all the references and moments in A Minecraft Movie that are driving fans wild.
—Issy Van Der Velde, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
Reportedly shot for less than $100,000, this tale of Pooh and Piglet all grown-up and running amok recently opened to box office success in Mexico and is currently playing on cinema screens around America.
—Clark Collis, EW.com, 16 Feb. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grown-up
Adjective
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But determining the best retinol for mature skin can be more of a challenge.—
Deanna Pai,
Vogue,
30 July 2025
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Given the rapid development of AI technology and its widespread use amongst high school students, admissions officers at top colleges are seeking applicants who engage with it in a thoughtful, critical, and mature manner.—
Christopher Rim,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
Noun
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Bags are $23, and each person (children and adults) must purchase a bag to enter the orchard.—
Rachel Bernhard,
jsonline.com,
24 July 2025
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June 17-13: An Economist/YouGov poll found 54% of voters disapprove of Trump’s job performance, while 41% approve (the survey of 1,512 U.S. adults was conducted June 13-16 and has a 3.3-point margin of error).—
Sara Dorn,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Verb
-
The Jordan Brand has grown beyond just a basketball shoe.—
Jason Jones,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2025
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But most impressive of all for Chenoweth is seeing how the brand has grown.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grown-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grown-up. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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