Found 17 stronger alternatives to upgrade your writing.
Informal
Nuance: Child-friendly
Informal and child-friendly.
Boring
When I was little I asked an adult to help me read the directions.
Better
When I was little I asked a grown-up to help me read the directions.
Gender specific
Nuance: Gendered
Use when gender is relevant and appropriate.
Boring
A tall adult entered and introduced herself to the group.
Better
A tall woman entered and introduced herself to the group.
Family role
Nuance: Family
Family role.
Boring
An adult waited in the hallway during the conference.
Better
Her parent waited in the hallway during the conference.
Legal responsibility
Nuance: Responsible
Legal/school context.
Boring
The form required an adult to sign before the trip.
Better
The form required a guardian to sign before the trip.
Work context
Nuance: Competent
Workplace behavior.
Boring
He handled the complaint like an adult and stayed calm.
Better
He handled the complaint like a professional and stayed calm.
Civic role
Nuance: Legal
Civic/legal membership.
Boring
Every adult has rights and responsibilities in a democracy.
Better
Every citizen has rights and responsibilities in a democracy.
Political
Nuance: Action-oriented
Political context.
Boring
Every eligible adult should bring ID on election day.
Better
Every eligible voter should bring ID on election day.
Older adult
Nuance: Respectful (usually)
Age-specific.
Boring
The bus offers discounted fares for adults over sixty-five.
Better
The bus offers discounted fares for seniors over sixty-five.
Respected older person
Nuance: Wisdom/Respect
Cultural respect.
Boring
In the community meeting the adults spoke first and everyone listened.
Better
In the community meeting the elders spoke first and everyone listened.
Guide
Nuance: Guidance
Guidance relationship.
Boring
A helpful adult gave advice about classes and helped her set goals.
Better
Her mentor gave advice about classes and helped her set goals.
Supervisor
Nuance: Supervision
Supervision at events.
Boring
Each group needed an adult for the museum trip.
Better
Each group needed a chaperone for the museum trip.
Experienced
Nuance: Experienced
Long experience in a field.
Boring
An adult in the industry taught the new hires the basics.
Better
A veteran of the industry taught the new hires the basics.
Boss
Nuance: Authority
Work authority.
Boring
When the register broke the cashier called the adult in charge.
Better
When the register broke the cashier called the supervisor.
Male head
Nuance: Male Authority
Formal/traditional family leader.
Boring
In the family story the male adult leader made the final decisions.
Better
In the family story the patriarch made the final decisions.
Female head
Nuance: Female Authority
Formal/traditional family leader.
Boring
In the family story the female adult leader made the final decisions.
Better
In the family story the matriarch made the final decisions.
Ancestor
Nuance: Origin
Formal/biological ancestor.
Boring
They traced the family line back to an adult ancestor from centuries ago.
Better
They traced the family line back to a single progenitor from centuries ago.
Office holder
Nuance: Current holder
Current holder of an elected job.
Boring
During the debate the adult mayor defended her record in office.
Better
During the debate the incumbent defended her record in office.