GROWING UP Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

growing up

verb

present participle of grow up

as in growing

to become mature everyone has to grow up at some point in their lives

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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 growing up While growing up, my mother would fight for our accessibility rights at school, after school, even at the doctor’s office. — Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026 After growing up in South Africa with their mother, model Victoria Lockwood, both of them are living in the UK and building their careers as models and entrepreneurs. — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 16 Aug. 2026 That uncertainty has only added to the anxiety for people who see the theater as an important part of growing up in Summit County. — Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026 Here are five ideas that may have been drilled into you growing up that could sabotage your success — and what to do instead. — Melody Wilding, CNBC, 9 Aug. 2026 Despite growing up in San Diego, Marcelo Mayer loved watching the Giants. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026 Americans over 50 are far more likely to say their parents viewed them as average growing up. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026 As Brun was growing up in the 1970s and 1980s, Hawaii’s sugarcane plantations were shutting down amid growing international competition and the removal of a federal sugar-industry subsidy. — Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026 Kids who, like him, are growing up afraid and anxious because of domestic violence at home, and who need what Torre didn’t have — somewhere safe to go to for help. — Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for growing up

Verb

Because growing the rice itself is not profitable, even with historic high prices for Japanese rice, the company supports the agricultural costs through side ventures including a restaurant and an ice cream brand launched this summer.

— Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
The deployment of more than 1,500 soldiers to protect Michoacán’s avocado-growing region and recent arrests of people allegedly involved in extortion have eased concerns, but only partially.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of growing

Verb

All four semifinalists have qualified for the Women’s World Cup in Brazil next year, while Ghana and South Africa kept their qualification hopes alive by progressing to the World Cup intercontinental playoffs.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
The drilling pilot project was progressing but then came a new dispute with the government over a permit—or lack thereof—to recently move drilling equipment to the region.

— Jordan Blum, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of progressing

Verb

As for metal, solid gold, whether yellow, white, or rose, remains the steadiest choice, aging with grace and holding its value across the years.

— Pooja Mistry, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
With other phones, even something simple like replacing an aging battery often requires melting adhesive, prying apart fragile glass panels, and decoupling cables.

— Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of aging

Browse Nearby Words

growing (in)

growing up

growl

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“Growing up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/growing%20up. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of growing up

verb

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