FRESHMEN Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

freshmen

noun

plural of freshman

as in novices

a person who is just starting out in a field of activity our senator is just a freshman in Congress

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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 freshmen More than 20 students, many of them freshmen, darted around the lush grounds. — Avery Stone, HollywoodReporter, 23 July 2026 Burnett, Johnson and Robison are true freshmen, with Robison having the best chances of playing early. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026 This included a 90% overall graduation rate for freshmen and transfers, a 76% four-year freshman graduation rate and a 70% two-year transfer graduation rate by 2030. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026 But don’t discount impressive freshmen Cam Portis, Jaelan Waters and Brody Jennings, who all flashed in the spring. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026 The iconic college film follows a group of freshmen who grew tired of being tormented by the fraternity brothers of Alpha Beta at Adams College. — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026 Younger students—particularly rising freshmen and sophomores—are better served using the summer to think, read, and narrow their focus, with the goal of actually launching the project the following fall or spring. — Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 Most high-level recruits aren’t going to enter as freshmen planning to stay in college for five years. — Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 15 July 2026 Fresh off the heels of graduation from high school, many rising freshmen are choosing to step off of the treadmill for a year before matriculating in college. — Dj Didonna, Time, 13 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for freshmen

Noun

Some are tennis novices while others, like Foon, are coming off a long pause.

— Lynda Lin Grigsby, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026
Haaland has become a social media phenomenon, with his own posts and memes from others turning even soccer novices into diehard fans.

— Kaitlyn Huamani, Fortune, 13 July 2026

Definition of novices

Noun

Despite the newcomers at QB and head coach, his talent and lack of target competition give me confidence in an elite season.

— Jonathan Rubin, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026
Morris may not give away his full intentions but seeing how those newcomers both rush the passer and drop into coverage will impact the 49ers’ strategies.

— Cam Inman, Mercury News, 24 July 2026

Definition of newcomers

Noun

Meanwhile, the Summer Triangle — formed by Vega, Deneb and Altair — hangs almost overhead during the darkest hours, making this one of the easiest seasonal star patterns for beginners to learn.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 17 July 2026
Although these experiences may sound intimidating, they’re designed for beginners.

— Katie Camero, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026

Definition of beginners

Noun

Sure, more rookies could potentially push for more playing time but as of this writing, these six are the ones that should occupy most of the attention.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026
But defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard and LBs coach Shaun Dion Hamilton aren’t afraid to play rookies.

— Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 22 July 2026

Definition of rookies

Noun

There, King Charles works with head gardener Gráinne Ring and her team of 15, including apprentices, to cultivate the 15 acres of blooms, hedges, trees and more.

— Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
According to accounts by Wright’s apprentices, after procrastinating on drawing any plans for nine months, Wright designed the house in two hours in September 1935 while the Kaufmanns were driving to his office to review them.

— Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 14 July 2026

Definition of apprentices

Noun

Garnacho had joined a small list of potential recruits, which included Paris Saint-Germain’s Ibrahim Mbaye and Crysencio Summerville from West Ham United, who is now closing in on a move to Al Hilal.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Prosecutors alleged that employees, friends and several victims themselves were pressured or incentivized to bring new recruits into his orbit.

— Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of recruits

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“Freshmen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/freshmen. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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noun

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