as in novice
a person who is just starting out in a field of activity
a novitiate in the rarefied world of international diplomacy, the recently appointed ambassador is treading cautiously
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Recent Examples of novitiate
The novitiate, in this case, is Colin Smith (Harry Melling), a genial young man from the southeast London suburb of Bromley.
—
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2026
Community shapes people into better versions of themselves Schloegel remembers feeling anxious at the start of his novitiate, the period of living in community with other Augustinians before taking his vows.
—Jason Derose, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
The origin story of the evil spirit Valak from The Conjuring 2, The Nun stars Taissa Farmiga (sister of Vera) as Irene, a young novitiate and clairvoyant summoned to a convent to investigate a fellow nun’s suicide.
—Emily Palmer Heller, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Already inquiries about becoming an Augustinian novitiate are up fivefold from last year.
—Belinda Luscombe, Time, 1 July 2025
Born and raised in Chicago, Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost entered the novitiate of the Order of Saint Augustine in 1977 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1981.
—Asher Notheis, The Washington Examiner, 8 May 2025
The Vatican granted her permission to leave the novitiate, and Braverman's secular life began in 1975.
—Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
There was another case involving 2024’s Immaculate and The First Omen, and both films deal with two young American novitiates whose bodily autonomy is forcibly taken away in the most disturbing ways imaginable.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Oct. 2024
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2026
Community shapes people into better versions of themselves Schloegel remembers feeling anxious at the start of his novitiate, the period of living in community with other Augustinians before taking his vows.
—Jason Derose, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
The origin story of the evil spirit Valak from The Conjuring 2, The Nun stars Taissa Farmiga (sister of Vera) as Irene, a young novitiate and clairvoyant summoned to a convent to investigate a fellow nun’s suicide.
—Emily Palmer Heller, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Already inquiries about becoming an Augustinian novitiate are up fivefold from last year.
—Belinda Luscombe, Time, 1 July 2025
Born and raised in Chicago, Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost entered the novitiate of the Order of Saint Augustine in 1977 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1981.
—Asher Notheis, The Washington Examiner, 8 May 2025
The Vatican granted her permission to leave the novitiate, and Braverman's secular life began in 1975.
—Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
There was another case involving 2024’s Immaculate and The First Omen, and both films deal with two young American novitiates whose bodily autonomy is forcibly taken away in the most disturbing ways imaginable.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for novitiate
Noun
-
Sheriff investigators described Pickles as a novice operator of the boat.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
14 May 2026
-
Taylor Swift just wore the most romantic summer hairstyle that any novice can achieve.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Humanoid robot to serve as renovation apprentice The renovation project involving the humanoid robot ‘Tinnie’ is being launched by Cherie Barber, also known as Australia’s Renovation Queen.—
Abhishek Bhardwaj,
Interesting Engineering,
18 May 2026
-
As the dust settles, Din adopts Grogu, who is renamed Din Grogu and officially becomes a Mandalorian apprentice.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
Replit has broad reach across beginners, educators and enterprises alike.—
Rebecca Fannin,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
-
Tomatoes are a fairly easy fruit to plant and take care, especially for beginner gardeners.—
Asia London Palomba,
The Spruce,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Both starting pitchers — freshman Talon Brown for Christian and senior Colin Gallagher of Madison — would appear to have a future in baseball.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
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A lot of the other seniors on this team were on varsity or JV as freshmen that year.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Noun
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Defending champion United States bounced back from a loss to Switzerland with a 5-1 victory over tournament newcomer Britain at the ice hockey world championship on Sunday.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 May 2026
-
The €17 million feature stars Marion Cotillard, Benoît Magimel and newcomer Aaron Debarre.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Kyle Louis, a former University of Pittsburgh standout the Dolphins selected in the fourth round, stepped in front of a pass thrown by rookie quarterback Mark Gronowski and returned it for a pick-six.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
19 May 2026
-
In addition to Tagovailoa, who the team signed in free agency this offseason after six years with the Miami Dolphins, the Falcons have veteran journeyman Trevor Siemian and undrafted rookie Jack Strand in their quarterback rotation.—
Daniel Flick,
AJC.com,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Novitiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/novitiate. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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