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 With three running backs down, TCU will lean on sophomore Jon Denman and potentially two true freshmen. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Oct. 2026 The Panthers, with three freshmen and two sophomores playing major roles, finished 22-4. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026 Some of the freshmen, including offensive lineman Ben Congdon, defensive back JJ Dunnigan and running back Javian Mallory have become crucial contributors. — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026 The Wildcats brought in eight transfers to go with their three returnees and three freshmen. — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026 Instead of courtships, there was a steady churn of casual hookups among employees, where new female hires were treated like incoming freshmen, explains Zapcic. — Alessandra Schade, Vanity Fair, 28 Oct. 2026 Minnesota native Nolen Anderson, a 6-foot-8 forward, highlights a class of three scholarship players joining as true freshmen. — CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026 On offense, new starting guard Ben Congdon leads UM freshmen in snaps with 300, followed by Mallory with 153, Mueller with 116, offensive lineman Jackson Cantwell with 84 and receiver Somourian Wingo with 83. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026 Like most true freshmen, Wayne saw sparse playing time at James Madison, appearing in eight games as a running back and seeing snaps on special teams. — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for freshmen

Noun

By automating the cadence and gear changes, Honda is catering to novices who don't want to think about gear selection or power management on the trail.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Nov. 2026
The political novices were able to rally the nation behind a simple message against corruption and state capture.

— Chris Massaro, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of novices

Noun

The hotel’s connections with local neighbors is also particularly impressive (no mean feat for newcomers in Kyoto) with The Shinmonzen’s friends ranging from local bento box makers who deliver by bicycle to generations-old antique shop owners.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2026
The newcomers leading the race for the other seats — Devon Graves and Oranit Limmaneeprasert — were both candidates endorsed by the Los Rios College Federation of Teachers.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of newcomers

Noun

Wood pulp papers are the thickest and most popular choice for beginners.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026
Ski Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is one of the hardest mountains in North America, with only 10 percent of its terrain meant for beginners.

— Lindsay Cohn, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of beginners

Noun

Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson both sat out FP1 so rookies could drive their cars, which may have contributed to both being too eager to set a fast time in FP2.

— Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 2 Nov. 2026
Still, progress with an ultra-young team needs to be measured incrementally, and the rookies (Jacob Rodriguez, Caleb Douglas, Kevin Coleman) and other youngsters flashed with some plays yet again.

— Kenny Rosarion, Sun Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of rookies

Noun

Built with the help of his apprentices, the complex was designed to blend into the surrounding Sonoran Desert, using local stone in a construction style known as desert masonry.

— Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 2026
For carpenters, delays and poor weather conditions can disrupt the working hours apprentices need to complete their program, causing some to quit.

— Itzel Franco, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of apprentices

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
Hazing involves requiring new or potential recruits to the military or college fraternities to perform strenuous, humiliating or dangerous tasks.

— Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of recruits

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“Freshmen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/freshmen. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of freshmen

noun

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