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novel

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adjective

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective novel differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of novel are fresh, new, and original. While all these words mean "having recently come into existence or use," novel applies to what is not only new but strange or unprecedented.

a novel approach to the problem

When could fresh be used to replace novel?

While the synonyms fresh and novel are close in meaning, fresh applies to what has not lost its qualities of newness such as liveliness, energy, brightness.

a fresh start

In what contexts can new take the place of novel?

Although the words new and novel have much in common, new may apply to what is freshly made and unused, what has not been known before, or what has not been experienced before.

new brick
new designs
starts the new job

When might original be a better fit than novel?

The meanings of original and novel largely overlap; however, original applies to what is the first of its kind to exist.

a man without one original idea

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 novel
Noun
In All Her Fault, an eight-part series created by Megan Gallagher and based on Andrea Mara’s novel of the same name, Snook plays Marissa Irvine, a mother living in a wealthy Chicago neighborhood. Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2025 The limited series from Peacock was adapted from the novel of the same name by Andrea Mara — a book that Carnival Pictures’ producer Nigel Marchant (Downton Abbey, The Day of the Jackal) happened upon by chance. Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
The novel recycling technique was developed by scientists at the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST). Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 10 Nov. 2025 David Szalay has won the 2025 Booker Prize for his novel ‘Flesh’. Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 10 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for novel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for novel
Noun
  • Part of the reason why there are so few of these conversations about podcasting is a general lack of criticism for narrative audio.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
  • The organization is working to transform cultural norms and narratives surrounding aging, disability and care, as well as make change through federal and state-level policies and build power among the people who have been touched by care.
    Katherine Schaffstall, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Alfred Hitchcock turned one of Woolrich’s novelettes into Rear Window, for which Woolrich was paid the grand sum of $650.
    Sam Kashner, Air Mail, 12 Apr. 2025
  • What began as an audio-only novelette (drawing on el-Mohtar’s own experience with the harp) has transformed into a novella with illustrations: In the town of Thistleford, Hawthorn sisters Esther and Ysabel raise their voices together to sing about everything from adventure to sadness.
    Natalie Zutter January 2, Literary Hub, 2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The interdisciplinary approach brought the duke’s life and death to a stunning clarity — indicating how analyses can shed new light on age-old mysteries, even murders.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 10 Nov. 2025
  • While earning a master's degree in exercise and coaching science at University College Dublin, she was introduced to CrossFit and discovered a new kind of challenge with its emphasis on versatility and constant adaptation.
    NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 10 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Watson's book was more akin to pulp fiction than definitive history.
    Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Worries about fictions created by artificial intelligence used to prepare legal documents have plagued the legal community for the past few years, as the public’s infatuation with the generative technology has grown.
    Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Publishing a design monograph is a major career milestone for any architect or designer.
    AD PRO, Architectural Digest, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The opening party takes place on Thursday, with Erdem also celebrating his new monograph, published by Rizzoli.
    Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Her comedy plays like a loving travelogue of her life laid out with an assurance that these details will be unfamiliar, thrilling, and exotic.
    Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Review the reports for unfamiliar accounts or inquiries.
    Jan Diaz, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The book, published earlier this year, offers personal anecdotes, prevention strategies and tips for dealing with the disease.
    Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Two anecdotes in the film also came from Mexico.
    John Hopewell, Variety, 11 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Watson's book was more akin to pulp fiction than definitive history.
    Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Supplied by Mercer Rosenthal GmbH, a German pulp mill, the lignin was thermally treated under inert conditions.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Novel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/novel. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.

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