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Synonyms

juvenile delinquent

American  

noun

  1. a minor who cannot be controlled by parental authority and commits antisocial or criminal acts, as vandalism or violence.

  2. a child or youth characterized by juvenile delinquency.

juvenile delinquent British  

noun

  1. a child or young person guilty of some offence, act of vandalism, or antisocial behaviour or whose conduct is beyond parental control and who may be brought before a juvenile court

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of juvenile delinquent

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She previously worked as a case worker in a juvenile delinquent transitional home and her boyfriend coaches a basketball team.

From Slate • Apr. 16, 2024

In my first film, I played a juvenile delinquent — Barbara Hanley.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 22, 2022

He was headed for jail as a juvenile delinquent when a sympathetic judge offered him an alternative: Join the military.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 23, 2022

"Not bad for a former juvenile delinquent," said the 63-year-old, who has written for Beyonce, Celine Dion and many other stars.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2020

I started to think that making Byron spend all of his summer in this heat was more punishment than even a juvenile delinquent like him deserved.

From "The Watsons Go to Birmingham" by Christopher Paul Curtis

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.