What is the opposite of “infancy”?

What is the antonym of “infancy”?

The antonyms of infancy are adulthood and maturity. The antonyms adulthood and maturity represent the opposite end of the life cycle, indicating a state of full growth and development.

Brief Definitions of the Antonym(s)

Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!

adulthood

The stage of life when one has reached full physical and mental maturity and is legally recognized as an adult.

Example

In adulthood, people are expected to take responsibility for their actions and make independent decisions.

maturity

The state of being fully developed physically, mentally, or emotionally.

Example

After years of experience and learning, he finally achieved a level of maturity that allowed him to handle difficult situations with ease.

How are these antonyms different from each other?

• 1. Adulthood refers to a specific stage in life when one is legally recognized as an adult, while maturity is a more general term that describes a state of full development.
• 2. Adulthood is a complementary antonym, meaning it represents the opposite end of the life cycle, while maturity is a gradable antonym, meaning it can be used to describe different levels of development.

Good things to know

• 1. Discuss Life Stages: Use infancy, adulthood, and maturity to talk about different stages of life.
• 2. Reflect on Personal Growth: Incorporate these antonyms in self-reflection to assess personal growth and development.
• 3. Compare and Contrast: Utilize these antonyms to compare and contrast different states of being or stages of life.

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Remember this!

The antonyms of infancy are adulthood and maturity. Adulthood refers to a specific stage in life when one is legally recognized as an adult, while maturity is a more general term that describes a state of full development. Use these words to discuss life stages, reflect on personal growth, and compare and contrast different states of being or stages of life.