as in grown-up
a fully grown person
at the beach, the adults sat under broad umbrellas while the children splashed in the water
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in pornographic
dealing in or with explicitly sexual material
an adult magazine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in matured
fully grown or developed
insects that are butterflies in their adult stage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of adult
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
The adults chill and maybe have a High Noon and some chips while the kids play and look for sand crabs and boogie board and climb the rocks.
—Karla Marie Sanford, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2025
Tara Duggan, San Francisco Chronicle, 6 Mar. 2023
The first whale found this month, a sub-adult male gray whale, was recovered Jan. 11 in Winchester Bay and was slain by killer whales, according to Milstein.
—oregonlive, 24 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for adult
Noun
Some have called for the program for adults to be shut down now.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
The adults chill and maybe have a High Noon and some chips while the kids play and look for sand crabs and boogie board and climb the rocks.
—Karla Marie Sanford, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
There has not been a sighting of a calf since 2005, though juvenile and sub-adult whales have been seen more recently, Crance said.
—Tara Duggan, San Francisco Chronicle, 6 Mar. 2023
The first whale found this month, a sub-adult male gray whale, was recovered Jan. 11 in Winchester Bay and was slain by killer whales, according to Milstein.
—oregonlive, 24 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for adult
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adult
Adjective
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The 10-track album is full of gorgeous harmonies and fun, saucy funk (check the title track) that will absolutely inspire some ass-shaking, but which also feels mature and deeply considered.—
Katie Bain,
Billboard,
7 Mar. 2025
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That’s a really mature thing for anyone to be able to do.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
There's a child, someone middle-aged, and an elder in the painting.—
Suzanne Nuyen,
NPR,
25 Feb. 2025
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With its local connection and timely message of turning a listening ear to elders, the film’s screening—happening Saturday, February 22—is already sold out.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Her decision meant that, following the success of her role of murder suspect Catherine Tramell in the erotic thriller Basic Instinct in 1992, her memorable outfit was hers to keep.—
Caroline Frost,
Deadline,
2 Mar. 2025
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But when Davis mentioned Nicole Kidman's 2024 erotic drama, Babygirl, as an example of a new film that does, Lowe reconsidered his remarks.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Levy chatted with us about why many parts of the parenting experience are ripe for disruption and how taking risks can lead to great things.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
7 Mar. 2025
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Pop in for a splash of their current releases, including the Chehalem Mountain Vineyard Pinot Noir with its notes of ripe blackberries and spice.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
7 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Adult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adult. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
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