juvenile delinquent

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of juvenile delinquent¹

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

They also boast a wide enough variety to present a handful of genuinely amusing sub-sub-genres, including “Juvenile Delinquent,” “Fake Gorilla Suit,” “Mad Scientist” and “Women in Fur Bikini”; if you don’t have to have those explained to you, well, you’re the target audience.

From New York Times

Meanwhile, even before getting creamed in court this week, the pestilent “juvenile delinquent” redirected his grievance to avoid the courtroom’s “gag order” . to his nemesis, special counsel Jack Smith, who indicted Trump in both the federal election interference case. and the classified documents case..

From Salon

It’s up to them to tell us if the former president scowled and guffawed like a fearless strongman or fell asleep in his chair like a disaffected juvenile delinquent.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Slate

Brokered by the band’s manager in a bid to prevent Clayton-Thomas, a Canadian with a criminal record thanks to a juvenile delinquent past, from having his green card revoked, the goodwill tour, to be captured by a documentary crew, was put into quid-pro-quo motion.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• delinquent
• gangster
• hoodlum
• hooligan
• troublemaker