1
as in young
being in the early stage of life, growth, or development
a juvenile alligator just hatched from its egg
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 juvenile
Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2026
In what neatly encapsulates the uncomfortable, rude, thin-skinned yet cruel, sarcastic and ultimately juvenile communication style of his online brood, the leader of the pack started with — what else — Lawrence’s looks.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026
Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2026
Four others — Kymani Agbouti, 18, of Vallejo; Avante Washington, 18, of Antelope; and two juveniles from Oakland and Sacramento — were arrested April 20 in the killing, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for juvenile
Adjective
The juvenile copperhead was tangled in landscape netting typically used to keep animals from a flower bed, Officer Brittany McManus told The Charlotte Observer on Wednesday.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2026
In what neatly encapsulates the uncomfortable, rude, thin-skinned yet cruel, sarcastic and ultimately juvenile communication style of his online brood, the leader of the pack started with — what else — Lawrence’s looks.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
At a transfer hearing to be held in the weeks before the youth is 19, a judge will determine whether the juvenile will continue the sentence in a prison or be released from custody under parole supervision.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2026
Four others — Kymani Agbouti, 18, of Vallejo; Avante Washington, 18, of Antelope; and two juveniles from Oakland and Sacramento — were arrested April 20 in the killing, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for juvenile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for juvenile
Adjective
-
His mom likes another young lady for her son, not my daughter.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
This particular adaptation bookends the story with the character Alba (played in young adulthood by Rocío Hernández), the granddaughter of the clairvoyant matriarch Clara del Valle (played in older age by Dolores Fonzi) and the conservative, volatile patriarch Esteban Trueba (Alfonso Herrera).—
Laura Zornosa,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That’s as childish an expression as the show ever shares.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The use of childish internet and video-game memes to describe violence is coarse and unworthy of the men and women who go in harm’s way.—
Eliot A. Cohen,
The Atlantic,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Even Michael’s social life is left blank, far beyond his adolescent solitudes.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Relatedly, another study published Friday in JAMA Network Open found that rates of adolescent cannabis use increased after recreational use was legalized in California, but decreased after the Covid pandemic.—
Theresa Gaffney,
STAT,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Charles, who is well-known for his love of nature and the importance of sustainability, fed chickens in a coop together with the kids.—
Emma Caughlan,
NBC news,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The kid from Istanbul’s streets was not an aberration.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Only this week, Conway doubled down with a stunt in front of Mfume’s district office, an act that would be immature and juvenile in an elementary school student government election, let alone a campaign for Congress.—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Faced with the prospect of deciding between Urlacher, a late bloomer in high school who almost wasn’t recruited before becoming a college All-American, and Michigan State receiver Plaxico Burress, regarded throughout the NFL as gifted but immature, the Bears did not have to choose.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Maybe the bright lights of a win-or-go-home playoff game proved too big of a moment for a young, inexperienced Hawks team.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
-
Edmonton showed off its postseason poise in Game 5, throttling the Ducks in a 4-1 victory and putting the onus on their inexperienced opponents to finish off the series.—
Greg Beacham,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Made in response to a difficult breakup, the work alludes to two lovers parting ways, but also to Pau’s memories of isolation as a severely asthmatic child in a notoriously polluted city, lying in bed staring at the wall and inventing stories to distract herself from the difficulty of breathing.—
Pauline J. Yao,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
-
Though the arrest took place over three years ago, the case faced new scrutiny in March when TMZ published a video of the altercation, showing Paul yelling, putting Mortensen in a headlock and throwing chairs at him while a child could be heard crying.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Juvenile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/juvenile. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
