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
Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2025
The jasmine and whipped coconut sneak in, giving it a soft floral creaminess that makes the caramel feel grown-up instead of candy-shop.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 12 Sep. 2025
Try incorporating these darker accents through furniture, textiles, or even trim details to create contrast and keep the palette feeling grounded and grown-up.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Sep. 2025
Cherry Stem was designed to feel more complex, sexier, woodier and all grown-up.
—Dahvi Shira, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Just like warm neutrals, rich chocolate brown makes pink feel quite grown-up.
—Lauren Jones, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2025
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
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
Clark Collis, EW.com, 16 Feb. 2023
Joe Lynch, Billboard, 16 Sep. 2025
The students are often shocked by unapologetic solidarity for Palestine, having grown up in a society dominated by a pro-Israel narrative.
—Philip Metres
august 27, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025
The proud mom, who shares Ricki with her late fiancé Ricky Hendrick, reflected on how much her daughter has grown up for her 19th birthday in 2024.
—Kayla Grant, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Leicester had wanted to sign him on schoolboy terms and that, of course, was tempting for a boy who had grown up in that city.
—Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Kids have grown up with devices in hand, pods in ears.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 14 Aug. 2025
She's grown up to be one of the most dominant high school softball pitchers Arizona has ever seen, leading the Wolves to three straight state titles.
—Richard Obert, AZCentral.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Idealsanxun Wool Plaid Mini Skirt Plaid skirts are prep-school core, but this one feels grown-up, with its structured cut and warm wool blend.
—Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2025
The jasmine and whipped coconut sneak in, giving it a soft floral creaminess that makes the caramel feel grown-up instead of candy-shop.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 12 Sep. 2025
Try incorporating these darker accents through furniture, textiles, or even trim details to create contrast and keep the palette feeling grounded and grown-up.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Sep. 2025
Cherry Stem was designed to feel more complex, sexier, woodier and all grown-up.
—Dahvi Shira, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Just like warm neutrals, rich chocolate brown makes pink feel quite grown-up.
—Lauren Jones, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2025
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
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
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
Having grown up listening to Groff on the Spring Awakening cast album, Henningsen is thrilled to be immortalized alongside him on the Just in Time cast album (out now on Atlantic — Darin’s longtime label, fittingly).
—Joe Lynch, Billboard, 16 Sep. 2025
The students are often shocked by unapologetic solidarity for Palestine, having grown up in a society dominated by a pro-Israel narrative.
—Philip Metres
august 27, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025
The proud mom, who shares Ricki with her late fiancé Ricky Hendrick, reflected on how much her daughter has grown up for her 19th birthday in 2024.
—Kayla Grant, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Leicester had wanted to sign him on schoolboy terms and that, of course, was tempting for a boy who had grown up in that city.
—Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Kids have grown up with devices in hand, pods in ears.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 14 Aug. 2025
She's grown up to be one of the most dominant high school softball pitchers Arizona has ever seen, leading the Wolves to three straight state titles.
—Richard Obert, AZCentral.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grown-up
Adjective
-
Down below, the meandering grounds are laced with mature trees and layered gardens that provide a feeling of expansiveness despite being in the heart of a huge city.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Why Industry Standards Matter As Wi-Fi 7, private 5G open roaming and edge-native orchestration mature, enterprises need partners that shape—not just follow—industry standards.—
Lori Thomas,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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During Full House, Sweetin said the child actors would often come across as more professional than their adult counterparts amid all the tomfoolery.—
Daysia Tolentino,
Entertainment Weekly,
14 Sep. 2025
-
For decades, the mighty roars of dinosaurs have thundered through movies, TV shows, and filled the imaginations of children and adults alike.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Some of their commitments since have grown to include more crops.—
Max Blau,
ProPublica,
16 Sep. 2025
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This frost-tolerant primrose is grown as a winter annual in mild Southern gardens, where plants bloom from early winter through spring.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grown-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grown-up. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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