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
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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
Paloma Chavez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Feb. 2025
In critically dry years, winter-run Chinook salmon could see a 23% decrease in juvenile production compared to baseline conditions, which are already pushing the species toward extinction.
—Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2025
Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025
The eldest of the juveniles admitted to voluntary manslaughter and home invasion robbery at a hearing in April 2023.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for juvenile
Adjective
Detectives located the two juvenile suspects, who had been identified as persons of interest, police said.
—Paloma Chavez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Feb. 2025
In critically dry years, winter-run Chinook salmon could see a 23% decrease in juvenile production compared to baseline conditions, which are already pushing the species toward extinction.
—Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
The second juvenile, Spencer said, was in custody in Harris County on Wednesday.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025
The eldest of the juveniles admitted to voluntary manslaughter and home invasion robbery at a hearing in April 2023.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for juvenile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for juvenile
Adjective
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Ultimately, Wagner’s intangibles outweighed finding a younger replacement.—
Ben Standig,
The Athletic,
7 Mar. 2025
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According to research from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 2010-2023, more than 2.5 million voluntary medical male circumcisions were performed in the country, with 41% in boys younger than 15.—
Bec Roldan,
NPR,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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My hair is still thin, childish and deserving of the gentle wash that baby shampoo affords.—
John Hodgman,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2025
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The pair settle right away into the half-affectionate, half-annoyed, goofy childish dynamic recognizable to adult siblings everywhere — to the amusement and occasional irritation of Frank, a locally beloved good old boy who’s only the teeny-tiniest bit prone to vanity and corruption.—
Angie Han,
The Hollywood Reporter,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Global, regional, and national prevalence of child and adolescent overweight and obesity, 1990–2021, with forecasts to 2050: a forecasting study for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
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In this Jersey club and trap fusion, the 13-year-old tenderly sings about the thrill of an adolescent love.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Julie Andrews as Maria Andrews starred as Maria, the precocious and inspirational governess who helps the von Trapp kids learn to embrace music and family — and later becomes their stepmother.—
Keith Langston,
People.com,
2 Mar. 2025
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Rocky Gap participates in the Maryland Park Service's Scales & Tales education program for kids.—
Trudy Haywood Saunders,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Yet there’s nothing inherently immature about her voice.—
Judy Berman,
TIME,
27 Feb. 2025
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This reflects the struggle many women face with emotionally immature and irresponsible partners.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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As a first-generation college graduate with an MBA, Mata was able to make a middle-class life for her child.—
Daisy Verduzco Reyes,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2025
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She was obliged, as an enslaved woman in the antebellum South, to labor in his household for him, his wife and his children.—
Sara Georgini,
Smithsonian Magazine,
5 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to juvenile
Cite this Entry
“Juvenile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/juvenile. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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