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 Noblesville is, as Smith described it, literally his backyard after growing up in Westfield, Indiana. — Tony East, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Lainey shared a slew of photos from growing up with Parton, some from childhood and others taken onstage with the country star. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026 Led by Sreeti Mukerji and shaped by the creative vision of Alia and Shaheen Bhatt, ‘Don’t Be Shy’ is a joyful, heartfelt celebration of friendship, love, and the beautifully messy journey of growing up. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026 Naturally, growing up around music and holding onto my love of it, becoming a singer and performer came naturally. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 24 Aug. 2026 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 Despite growing up in San Diego, Marcelo Mayer loved watching the Giants. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for growing up

Verb

Semiconductor investment expected to climb China’s semiconductor capital expenditure is expected to continue growing at double-digit annual rates through the end of the decade, reaching $82 billion in 2030, according to Goldman.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Instead, the chief executive said Hilton's middle- and upper-middle segments have swung from posting negative numbers to growing at rates as high as 6%.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of growing

Verb

At this point in the WSL’s existence, eight years since becoming a fully professional league, players now ageing out at the title contenders do so with all the advantages — finances, facilities, health — of only knowing full-time football.

— Katie Whyatt, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
An aging population, growing healthcare needs and rising energy demand are expected to create strong opportunities for healthcare workers, data scientists and renewable energy technicians.

— Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 1 Sep. 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 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of growing up

verb

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