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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Recent Examples of freshmen In the next few weeks, hundreds of thousands of freshmen, many of them arriving without any family history of college at all, will decide whether to walk into a fraternity event or skip it. — Todd Buchanan, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026 Somourian Wingo has been the most tantalizing of the freshmen receivers and might have the highest ceiling of the four. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 The senators cited a fall 2025 UC San Diego faculty work group paper that found about 1 in 12 incoming UCSD freshmen were testing below high school math standards, a share that the report said grew nearly thirtyfold since 2020. — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 All of these freshmen might contribute meaningfully to Notre Dame’s success this season. — Pete Sampson, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 These returning athletes could take roster spots or at least playing time away from freshmen and transfers. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 25 Aug. 2026 And how much of a team’s ranking is based on program history versus the number of returning starters — or perhaps the impact of portal recruits and/or true freshmen? — Mike Griffith, AJC.com, 22 Aug. 2026 Metea Valley The Mustangs (6-14-2) had four freshmen in the starting lineup by the end of last season and will be young again. — Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026 Some may ultimately find they don’t have much choice, especially since incoming freshmen can register for classes as soon as this week. — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 19 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for freshmen

Noun

An aurora photographer who spoke to National Geographic offered tips for novices trying to take photos of the phenomenon, including would-be photographers who only have access to a smartphone camera.

— Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
The music industry has been wrestling with the pros and cons of the new technology that allows musical novices to create professional-sounding songs in seconds.

— Bloomberg, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of novices

Noun

One of our favorite newcomers is Saie, which has just launched an edit of SuperSuede eye shadows in 11 delicious individual autumnal shades.

— Elle Turner, Glamour, 28 Aug. 2026
These wild swings in the numbers came while residents here didn’t notice any change to the slow but steady arrival of newcomers in dilapidated coaches.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of newcomers

Noun

That level of integration not only simplifies the workflow for beginners but also creates a more efficient and consistent experience for professionals who regularly produce parts.

— Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026
Our group is so welcoming, and there are always more seasoned players willing to teach and play with beginners, like me.

— Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of beginners

Noun

Miami’s current group of eight relievers includes righties Calvin Faucher, Michael Petersen, Tyler Zuber, Vodnik and rookies Josh Ekness and Jack Ralston plus lefties Fulton and Monteverde.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
As rookies in 2022, Mike LaFleur was a first-time play caller from the Kyle Shanahan tree devoted wholly to his scheme.

— Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of rookies

Noun

His opportunity came through the new DC Tech Hub, where Accenture welcomed a cohort of 50 cybersecurity apprentices.

— Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026
With the money, the museum is able to sustain, among other things, an internship program for teaching apprentices and a speaker series.

— News Desk, Artforum, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of apprentices

Noun

And whenever this season ends, even if that’s after a 16-game run to the national championship game, this crop of recruits might play the least of any Freeman first-year haul.

— Pete Sampson, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
See top recruits, productive returners, underrated gems and more.

— Charles Baggarly August 26, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of recruits

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“Freshmen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/freshmen. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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