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
Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
Though the state monitors cases involving adults, juvenile mental health court records are not reported to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background System.
—Maria Leontaras, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 8 July 2025
Two adults and three juveniles were in the second vehicle.
—Kansas City Star, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for juvenile
Adjective
More than two years after a riot broke out at a Kentucky juvenile detention center, during which several employees were assaulted and a teen girl was raped, a Louisville teen accused of participating in the crimes is set to stand trial.
—Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
Though the state monitors cases involving adults, juvenile mental health court records are not reported to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background System.
—Maria Leontaras, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Noun
City officials credited the curfew enforcement in part for a 7% decrease in summer juvenile arrests from 2023 to 2024, according to News 12.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 8 July 2025
Two adults and three juveniles were in the second vehicle.
—Kansas City Star, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for juvenile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for juvenile
Adjective
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With school out for most young people, TV usage among kids 6 to 17 increased 27% compared with May, with streaming accounting for two-thirds of the group’s TV time.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
15 July 2025
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Princess Mako, a niece of Japan's Emperor Naruhito (and whose younger brother is the likely next ruler of Japan), married her longtime love, Kei Komuro, in a simple ceremony at a registry office on Oct. 26, 2021.—
Alex Apatoff,
People.com,
15 July 2025
Adjective
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The exchange ended with both men accusing the other of acting childish.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
26 June 2025
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Compiled from Candace Bushnell’s column of the same name from The New York Observer, the book is a dark and bizarre look at dating in 1990s New York, where men are pathologically childish, cruel, and self-centered, and women are domineering, striving, and manipulative.—
Alice Bolin
June 23,
Literary Hub,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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Whatever the answer, the most enjoyable parts of Friday’s concert offered more than just a chance for attendees to revisit their adolescent years in song by channeling anew feelings of young love, longing and fresh-faced angst.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 July 2025
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And a study published in The Lancet that examined the prevalence of adolescent depression among English youth suggested that increased sedentary behavior in adolescence could affect a person’s mental health into adulthood.—
Henry Abbott,
The Atlantic,
12 July 2025
Noun
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The podcast tells a great story that will engage all ages—but especially kids interested in outer space (and what kid isn’t?).—
Toni Fitzgerald,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
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Routinely vacuuming and doing quick sweeps with your wet mop can help tide you over until the kids are back in school or your house becomes a little less of a thoroughfare.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
12 July 2025
Adjective
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There are three immature stages that are black and white, with the fourth stage being red, black and white before becoming adults later in the summer.—
Kaycee Sloan,
The Enquirer,
14 July 2025
-
Tomatoes must reach their mature size before harvesting, as immature green tomatoes will never ripen.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
5 July 2025
Noun
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The Elmore County Sheriff’s Office and Elmore County paramedics responded to a call at 1:47 p.m. Saturday about an object piercing a windshield and injuring a child, the Sheriff’s Office said Monday in a news release.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
14 July 2025
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Around this time, a person broke a window and successfully rescued a child from the home while flames began to spread, police said.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Juvenile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/juvenile. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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