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Definitions

in the bud

ADJECTIVE
early
Synonyms
STRONGEST
beforehand briefly directly immediately prematurely previous promptly quick shortly soon too soon unexpectedly
STRONG
betimes
WEAK
a bit previous ahead of time anon bright and early early bird ere long far ahead in advance in good time in time on short notice on the dot oversoon pronto proximately
Antonyms
WEAK
late later
ADJECTIVE
immature
Synonyms
STRONGEST
childish premature
STRONG
green unfledged unripe
WEAK
adolescent baby babyish callow crude half-grown imperfect infantile infantine jejune juvenile kid kidstuff puerile raw sophomoric tender tenderfoot underdeveloped undergrown undeveloped unfinished unformed unseasonable unseasoned unsophisticated untimely wet behind ears youthful
Antonyms
STRONGEST
mature
WEAK
adult developed experienced grown old
ADJECTIVE
undeveloped
Synonyms
STRONGEST
backward primitive underdeveloped
WEAK
abortive behindhand embryonic half-baked ignored inchoate incipient inexperienced latent potential primordial unactualized unevolved unprogressive untaught untrained
Antonyms
WEAK
adult developed grown mature

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.

Had a military coup been nipped in the bud?

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 26, 2026

Years later, when it appeared their feud might be heating up again, the two NBA greats took to social media to nip that notion in the bud.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 14, 2025

She said that if managers employed people who did not know how to behave, they had a responsibility to take them to one side, and nip issues in the bud as soon as possible.

From BBC • Jul. 9, 2025

Proactive employer policies aimed at diversifying the applicant pool could have nipped these inequities in the bud before they led to litigation.

From Slate • Feb. 10, 2025

Nip it in the bud, not butt, Ms. Hardwick, she answers, then adds, Sorta like when you prune a flower in the budding stage, to keep it from growing.

From "Booked" by Kwame Alexander