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 The upshot is that entering freshmen only have a few months before being bombarded by banks and banking hype is unavoidable. — Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026 Beyond Lofton, the Hurricanes have two blue-chip freshmen, Israel Briggs and Gavin Mueller, who joined the team in the spring. — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026 Naperville resident Raney Michel is one of two incoming freshmen to be awarded a full four-year tuition scholarship to attend at Morgan Park Academy for Academic Excellence in Chicago. — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026 Timing matters, given that incoming freshmen athletes typically relocate to campus for workouts before their non-athlete classmates arrive in mid-August. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 Aug. 2026 For both first-time freshmen and transfer students, the most popular majors included business administration, health science, psychology, criminal justice and biology. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 4 Aug. 2026 However, there has been debate swirling around who’ll act as Madsen’s backup for his final season with the program, with senior Max Cutforth and incoming freshmen Cash Herrera and Jackson Taylor in the mix. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 4 Aug. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for freshmen

Noun

Studies of customer service representatives using AI assistance found that novices gained most from AI coaching suggestions, but critically, those learning effects transferred beyond specific situations.

— ByJonathan H. Westover, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Knowledgeable bartenders guide novices and obsessives alike, making an overwhelming list feel approachable rather than intimidating.

— USA TODAY NETWORK, USA Today, 29 July 2026

Definition of novices

Noun

That changed during Family Night, when Green Bay had some of its younger players and newcomers do live tackling for approximately 10 plays late in practice.

— Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
O’Neal joins newcomers Tony Danza, Talia Shire, Dominic Chianese, and Vincent Curatola, joining returning stars William DeMeo, Chazz Palminteri, Armand Assante, Pastore, Mario Cantone, Tony Darrow, and Chuck Zito.

— Denise Petski, Deadline, 7 Aug. 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

The Panthers also drafted a number of defensive rookies, led by second-rounder Lee Hunter from Texas Tech, who will get snaps in preseason.

— John Cassillo, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Trey Watson Chiefs coach Andy Reid’s playbook is famous for its complexity, and as a result rookies have had trouble memorizing it early in their careers.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of rookies

Noun

City Colleges recently launched Chicago Moonshot, an apprenticeship initiative associated with the Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park, where the district has committed to graduating hundreds of IT apprentices over the next five years.

— Shalin Jyotishi, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
There are currently 17 apprentices at the Winter Park facility.

— Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of apprentices

Noun

No, the concerts are returning because the revenue from a single full-stadium event can fund a handful of four-star recruits.

— Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026
As The Athletic reported earlier this summer, the going rate for a high-major starter is typically in the seven figures, even for recruits coming straight from high school.

— Brendan Marks, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of recruits

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“Freshmen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/freshmen. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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noun

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