grown-up 1 of 3

adjective

ˈgrōn-ˌəp How to pronounce grown-up (audio)
Definition of grown-upnext
as in mature
relating to or typical of adults; displaying proper maturity they have yet to find a grown-up way of handling their marital problems

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

grown-up

2 of 3

noun

as in adult
a fully grown person once you turn 12, you get to eat with the grown-ups at Thanksgiving

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

grown up

3 of 3

verb

past participle of grow up
as in grown
to become mature everyone has to grow up at some point in their lives

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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 grown-up
Adjective
Working with sister stylist duo Chloe and Chenelle Delgadillo, Rodrigo has reconstructed her signature looks to feel softer and more grown-up, with outfits drawing from fashion references just as diverse as her musical taste. — Chelsey Sanchez, CNN Money, 25 June 2026 There was something so exciting about holding those glowing wands and feeling just a little grown-up while doing it. — Abby Price, Southern Living, 17 June 2026
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
Verb
Williams moved to North Hollywood with his family in 1947, having grown up in Queens. — Tim Greiving, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026 People who have grown up watching YouTube programs and following TikTok figures feel more comfortable with such personalities, says Magid. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grown-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grown-up
  1. mature
  2. adult
  3. grown
Adjective
  • The pick is chock-full of superstar ingredients, including hyaluronic acid to hydrate, peptides to smooth signs of aging, and caffeine to tighten mature skin.
    — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 25 July 2026
  • Guidance and autonomy Surface-to-air missiles rely on highly mature guidance systems.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026
Definition of mature
Noun
  • There are also annual membership options, as adults can pay $300 for the year, seniors pay $200 and youngsters pay $75.
    — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026
  • But officials are much more concerned about the fur seal’s larger cousin, the New Zealand sea lion, of which there thought to be fewer than 5,000 mature adults.
    — Todd Symons, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of adult
Verb
  • Over that same time frame, total player payouts have grown less than half that fast.
    — Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 31 July 2026
  • Now, 13 years later, its portfolio has grown to more than 150 all-inclusives with more than 58,000 rooms across Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe, with others in the pipeline.
    — Irene S. Levine, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of grown

Browse Nearby Words

grown (in)
grown-up
grown up
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Cite this Entry

“Grown-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grown-up. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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