as in novices
a person who is just starting out in a field of activity
our senator is just a freshman in Congress
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 freshmen
Policies requiring freshmen to live in dorms or banning children from campus can make going to college as a parent incredibly difficult and, at times, impossible.
—
Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026
As freshmen, this group was 16-9, eliminated in the conference quarterfinals, and carried that sting ever since, winning 85 of the last 92, reaching the Final Four the last two seasons.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 5 Mar. 2026
The young Milton team, with 15 of the 24 players being sophomores or freshmen, is focused on winning the Div.
—Zach McMahon, Boston Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
Midfielder Marely Jaquez was one of those freshmen/now seniors.
—Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2026
Excluding freshmen, that means seven new faces joined the Aggies.
—Zoe Collins Rath, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
That directive has been clear enough to USC starting quarterback Jayden Maiava since the Trojans’ fleet of freshmen arrived on campus.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
An incoming team of freshmen would reach and win state titles in 2021 as juniors and 2022 as seniors.
—Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
McDonald, in her fourth season as head coach in Westwood, is intent on providing her athletes with direction, especially the freshmen.
—Dakayla Hawkins, Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026
As freshmen, this group was 16-9, eliminated in the conference quarterfinals, and carried that sting ever since, winning 85 of the last 92, reaching the Final Four the last two seasons.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 5 Mar. 2026
The young Milton team, with 15 of the 24 players being sophomores or freshmen, is focused on winning the Div.
—Zach McMahon, Boston Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
Midfielder Marely Jaquez was one of those freshmen/now seniors.
—Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2026
Excluding freshmen, that means seven new faces joined the Aggies.
—Zoe Collins Rath, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
That directive has been clear enough to USC starting quarterback Jayden Maiava since the Trojans’ fleet of freshmen arrived on campus.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
An incoming team of freshmen would reach and win state titles in 2021 as juniors and 2022 as seniors.
—Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
McDonald, in her fourth season as head coach in Westwood, is intent on providing her athletes with direction, especially the freshmen.
—Dakayla Hawkins, Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for freshmen
Noun
-
None of the skiers killed by the avalanche appear to have been novices.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
28 Feb. 2026
-
For seasoned cooks and kitchen novices, cookbook author and nutritionist Robin Miller takes it back to basics with great, family-friendly recipes worth making over and over again.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Now, the ball belongs to Tate, with varsity newcomers in junior Jenna Manfre and freshman Savannah Jones in the mix to help out.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Demarcus Robinson, Jordan Watkins and Jacob Cowing vie for reps with other newcomers.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
For beginners, there are four miles of novice trails and three miles of paved trail.—
Taylor Haught,
Miami Herald,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Group of beginners, hobbyists and professionals who enjoy taking and sharing photos.—
Staff Report,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Younger drivers rise Last season featured a breakout cast of rookies who now have a chance to take things to the next level.—
Sahil Kapur,
NBC news,
4 Mar. 2026
-
In 2025, Dollander did all the things rookies often do at Coors Field.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Unlike college students, apprentices earn money from day one when completing classroom instruction, often taking classes at night or in short blocks throughout the year.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
2 Mar. 2026
-
In 1936, construction of the performance venue was financed by local geishas and their apprentices.—
Leandra Beabout,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In 2023, Ole Miss was the only SEC program that signed more transfers than high school recruits.—
Manny Navarro,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Many recruits joined for a similar reason to Schoep.—
Natalie Eilbert,
jsonline.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Freshmen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/freshmen. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
