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adverb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective new differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of new are fresh, novel, and original. While all these words mean "having recently come into existence or use," new may apply to what is freshly made and unused, what has not been known before, or what has not been experienced before.

new brick
new designs
starts the new job

When would fresh be a good substitute for new?

While the synonyms fresh and new are close in meaning, fresh applies to what has not lost its qualities of newness such as liveliness, energy, brightness.

a fresh start

When might novel be a better fit than new?

The words novel and new are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, novel applies to what is not only new but strange or unprecedented.

a novel approach to the problem

When is it sensible to use original instead of new?

In some situations, the words original and new are roughly equivalent. However, original applies to what is the first of its kind to exist.

a man without one original idea

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of new
Adjective
Following a new Evanston policy, local police obtained the badge numbers of the federal agents involved in Friday’s arrests, Biss said. Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025 Being an actor means constantly outputting — expressing — but rarely having time to take in new experiences. Gavin J Blair, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2025 The company offers textbook rentals, homework help and tutoring, as well as a newer suite of AI tools like a service that automatically generates flashcards. Annie Palmer, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2025 Royal correspondent Valentine Low’s new book shares insights about Queen Elizabeth‘s political allegiances, and one particular anecdote involves former President Barack Obama. Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 27 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for new
Recent Examples of Synonyms for new
Adjective
  • The novel centers on Rose, a wife and mother who has recently moved to a picturesque mansion in Florida with her husband Grant and son James.
    Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
  • The staffing problem at Miami Correctional is also hardly novel.
    Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Top news OpenAI taps AWS Amazon shares closed at a record high Monday after OpenAI agreed to buy $38 billion worth of AWS capacity in a fresh sign that the ChatGPT developer is no longer dependent on Microsoft.
    Diane Brady, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025
  • This month, young readers can curl up with nonfiction explorations of the galaxy, thumb through an old astronomy textbook with a fresh new story to tell, or experience the peace of being (almost) alone on the moon.
    Caroline Carlson, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The refreshed archival styles, however, will be offered on a first-come-first-serve basis, due to the collection’s sourcing for heritage fabrics and cut-to-order capacity.
    Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Fans are also anticipating getting their first looks inside the refreshed stadium.
    Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • In short, the great task before us is to revisit and reimagine America’s founding fight as a creation story in the making of our modern world.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Anyone vaguely near the aesthetic gets christened it by fans, including Bassvictim, who were always funnier and more creative than the other modern electroclash revivalists.
    Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • If traditional evergreens and spruce needles aren’t your thing, opt for an alternative garland instead.
    Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2025
  • There are alternative sources for jobs data, such as ADP’s private-sector payrolls and proxies produced by the Chicago Fed, which Goolsbee oversees, but few good ways to track consumer prices.
    Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Adverb
  • Mike Kennedy, ex-Harley-Davidson exec, will assume the role of CEO of the newly independent organization.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Lest there is any doubt, Ellison does want to buy all the WBD assets, including CNN, even though Warner is newly willing to sell pieces, sources with knowledge of the talks said.
    Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Her comedy plays like a loving travelogue of her life laid out with an assurance that these details will be unfamiliar, thrilling, and exotic.
    Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Review the reports for unfamiliar accounts or inquiries.
    Jan Diaz, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The friction between Mars (in a Mutable Fire sign) and Uranus retrograde (in a Mutable Air sign) creates disruption and rebellion that can ultimately lead to a brand-new awakening.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
  • First, both have brand-new coaches.
    Jim Root, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“New.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/new. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.

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