1
as in young
being in the early stage of life, growth, or development
a juvenile alligator just hatched from its egg
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in childish
having or showing the annoying qualities (as silliness) associated with children
throwing a tantrum is rather juvenile behavior for a person of your age
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in adolescent
lacking in adult experience or maturity
a spoiled, juvenile golfer who does not know how to win gracefully
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in kid
a young person who is between infancy and adulthood
a medical study that followed juveniles through adolescence and into adulthood
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of juvenile
Ross Dimattei, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2026
Laesch confirmed that the city of Aurora is investigating the police’s use of force against several protesters, but said the city will not be releasing video footage, as state law generally prevents police from releasing records involving juvenile offenders.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Jessica Schladebeck, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
The four suspects fled, but two — later identified as Maurice Lee Jackson, 32, of Oakland, and a juvenile — were quickly captured in a nearby backyard with the help of an overhead drone, police said.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for juvenile
Adjective
Police said three juvenile offenders pushed a victim off an e-bike and fled with it.
—Ross Dimattei, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2026
Laesch confirmed that the city of Aurora is investigating the police’s use of force against several protesters, but said the city will not be releasing video footage, as state law generally prevents police from releasing records involving juvenile offenders.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
Goff, who was initially prosecuted as a juvenile, was also indicted on counts of first-degree murder and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
—Jessica Schladebeck, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
The four suspects fled, but two — later identified as Maurice Lee Jackson, 32, of Oakland, and a juvenile — were quickly captured in a nearby backyard with the help of an overhead drone, police said.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for juvenile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for juvenile
Adjective
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There's no exact cause known for the rise in cancers among young people, according to experts, but researchers are trying to figure it out.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
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Meta, TikTok and Snap will be rated on their teen safety efforts amid rising concern about whether the world’s largest social media platforms are doing enough to protect the mental health of young people.—
Queenie Wong,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This sort of behavior is childish and unsophisticated.—
Josh Brown,Sean Russo,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
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These people are so childish and petty.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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With a biting script by Tina Fey, the film fearlessly explores the dark side of the early aughts adolescent social scene.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Feb. 2026
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The teen recently spent a day at a major tech company that is working to shape the future of adolescent technology.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The goal is to engage kids in learning about history and civic engagement while putting them on a path to potentially work in the music industry, said the department’s Chief Academic Officer Irene Parisi.—
Theo Peck-Suzuki,
Hartford Courant,
11 Feb. 2026
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Early life as a theater kid Van Der Beek, who was raised in Cheshire, Connecticut, started acting at 13 after suffering a concussion playing football that prevented him from playing for a year on doctor’s orders.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The film’s vintage patina doesn’t detract from rising actor Will Price’s confident performance as an immature mobster who prefers bitcoin to stacks of Benjamins.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
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Unlike older drugs, this formula safely accounts for a baby’s immature metabolism.—
Kwesi Akonu Adom Mensah Forson,
The Conversation,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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All of Quigley’s challengers are politically inexperienced but impassioned Democrats running to the incumbent’s left.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
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The most common complaints include denying legitimate claims, partnering with inexperienced and unqualified service providers, poor service, and slow response times.—
Sharon Brandwein,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Concerned about the safety of two children in the home, Aljorna and Sosa-Celis surrendered.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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It is based on a children’s book from former American football player Martellus Bennett, who also stars alongside Jhené Aiko, Juliet Donenfeld, Innocent Ekakitie and David Mitchell.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Juvenile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/juvenile. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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