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
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The five-part docuseries, directed by Brian Knappenberger with Tom Hanks as executive producer, offers novice history buffs an extensive look into the establishment of American democracy.
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To create something wholly new, the narrative team looked back to other games with a low barrier to entry, particularly early 2000s Nintendo consoles that invited novices to join the fold.
Noun
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Kieran, his young apprentice, is learning fast.
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In 1811, The Nottingham Review newspaper recorded what's believed to be the first historical mention of the fictitious Ludd character, described as a framework knitting apprentice near Leicester.
Noun
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Ticket to Ride is a beginner-friendly route-building game across a map of cities.
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From beginner builds to advanced display-worthy creations, there are deals across every price point.
Noun
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JSerra’s Ava Irwin, who earned The Register’s Orange County player of the year honor as a freshman in 2025, has enrolled at Sierra Canyon, Trailblazers athletic director Jon Ellinghouse confirmed Thursday.
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Doggett is the first freshman to win this Gatorade national award, which dates to 1986.
Noun
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Torres lamented that the nation’s landmark semiquincentennial comes amid a fever pitch of anti-immigrant sentiment in the United States, marked by a rise in xenophobia and an onslaught of attempts to restrict newcomers here and abroad.
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Chevalier, a 32-year-old community activist and political newcomer, has drawn criticism for her past statements, including supporting abolishing prisons, borders and police.
Noun
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On Tuesday, the first round will take place as 30 rookies join the NBA.
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While first-round picks are slotted into salaries through the NBA’s rookie scale, there isn’t as much structure with second-round selections.
Cite this Entry
“Novitiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/novitiate. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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