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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 For high school freshmen, that number was even lower, at just 38% meeting grade level on the English I STAAR exam. — Samuel O’Neal 31, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026 The warmup isn’t hard to learn; the incoming freshmen master it before their first fall camp. — Pete Sampson, New York Times, 31 July 2026 He’s joined by shifty freshmen Rasean Jones and Terrious Favors, while upperclassman transfers Akeem Wright and Darren Morris add an extra layer of height and size to the group. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 26 July 2026 The policy makes Sac State the ninth California State University campus to mandate residential living for freshmen — a change that has sparked debate over affordability and capacity. — The Sacramento Bee Staff, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026 More than 20 students, many of them freshmen, darted around the lush grounds. — Avery Stone, HollywoodReporter, 23 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for freshmen
  1. novices
  2. newcomers
  3. beginners
  4. rookies
  5. apprentices
  6. recruits
Noun
  • Knowledgeable bartenders guide novices and obsessives alike, making an overwhelming list feel approachable rather than intimidating.
    — USA TODAY NETWORK, USA Today, 29 July 2026
  • Some are tennis novices while others, like Foon, are coming off a long pause.
    — Lynda Lin Grigsby, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of novices
Noun
  • Now the status of a long list of newcomers who played professionally overseas, particularly those who earned a paycheck, is up in the air.
    — Brendan Marks, New York Times, 30 July 2026
  • Indiana’s list of 18 transfer newcomers includes former TCU quarterback Josh Hoover and ex-Michigan State wide receiver Nick Marsh.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Definition of newcomers
Noun
  • The activity's simplicity means beginners can start light and progress gradually, even using household items for weight.
    — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Ryerson said the terrain itself can be as critical as instruction in helping beginners progress.
    — David Caraccio Updated July 31, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of beginners
Noun
  • More will be revealed when pads come on, especially considering this is a position that generally isn’t kind to rookies.
    — Chad Graff, New York Times, 30 July 2026
  • On Wednesday, the Kansas City Chiefs’ veterans joined rookies and quarterbacks for the team’s first full-squad practice of training camp.
    — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 29 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
  • Finally, the third recruits seaweed to gather minerals that are otherwise too dilute to chase.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 July 2026
  • Continuing to move on unwanted squad members would assist with having the scope to bring in recruits.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 27 July 2026
Definition of recruits

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Freshmen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/freshmen. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of freshmen for Spanish Speakers

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