Thesaurus results for CATECHUMEN

catechumen

noun

Definition of catechumen

as in novice

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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 catechumen But this Easter, the Archdiocese of Chicago marked a 52% increase of catechumens and candidates to join the Catholic Church versus 2025. — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 31 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for catechumen

Noun

By July, morale among immigration officers had dipped below its nadir during the Biden Administration, with agents now complaining of being overextended, inundated with novice recruits, and undermined by inflammatory rhetoric from on high.

— Francisco Cantú, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
Thomas was a novice attorney who had already run and lost as the Republican candidate for state attorney general.

— Michael Kiefer, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of novice

Noun

Rachel Weatherington, who challenged political newcomer Geramie Parrish in the Place 4 race, was ahead with 70% of the vote with Parrish garnering 30%, according to unofficial, incomplete results from Tarrant County.

— Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026
Doral voters elected newcomer Peter Espinosa to the City Council on Tuesday, while incumbent Maureen Porras held a narrow lead of just eight votes in the race for Seat 2.

— Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of newcomer

Noun

Last year, several Department of Homeland Security officials told NBC News some of the ICE recruits had failed to meet the standards for hire, including having disqualifying criminal backgrounds or lacking physical or academic requirements.

— Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 3 Nov. 2026
That quartet includes senior guard/forward Mallorie Rose, a Jacksonville State softball recruit, senior forward/center Olivia Adams, junior guard Jenna Walker and junior guard Camry Krueger.

— Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of recruit

Noun

The novitiate, in this case, is Colin Smith (Harry Melling), a genial young man from the southeast London suburb of Bromley.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2026
Community shapes people into better versions of themselves Schloegel remembers feeling anxious at the start of his novitiate, the period of living in community with other Augustinians before taking his vows.

— Jason DeRose, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025

Definition of novitiate

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catechizing

catechumen

catechumens

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“Catechumen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catechumen. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of catechumen

noun

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