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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As someone who identified as an AI novice before working with her executive coach, Hagerman also shared that prompt engineering was a key skill to pick up.—
Aman Kidwai,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Dec. 2025
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Last year, Joshua took on another boxing novice in former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, a man known for his toughness and destructive power in the octagon.—
Sarah Shephard,
New York Times,
19 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Most often it as many as three licensed workers to one apprentice.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
14 June 2026
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Not to be outshined, Casio G-Shock’s Grogu model branded as the Baby-G comes in a distinctive bright neon-green hue in honor of Din Djarin’s little Force-wielding apprentice.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
2 June 2026
Noun
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Then be sure to read our picks of the best cameras and lenses for astrophotography, along with our beginner's guide to imaging the night sky.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
15 June 2026
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Most beginner DIYers should be able to handle this quick maintenance task.—
Timothy Dale,
The Spruce,
15 June 2026
Noun
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Rodgers led Reading with four goals, followed by freshman sister Madeline Rodgers with two goals and three assists.—
Matt Goisman,
Boston Herald,
11 June 2026
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When the family moved from Ohio after his freshman year, Klugo’s self-reliance helped elevate the tennis team.—
Liana Handler
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Noun
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Take for another example the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (GMSI), the grand south side of which can now be viewed spectacularly from the top floor of the OPC, rendering it almost like a shadow White House staring down on the newcomer on the block.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2026
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Be sure to check out Bee reporter Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado’s newcomer’s guide to Sacramento’s LGBTQ bars, churches, drag shows and more.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
12 June 2026
Noun
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Fidone was sidelined in the spring by a setback with the foot injury that ended his rookie season prematurely.—
Dan Duggan,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
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Whatever happens in the coming days, Jakucionis is hoping to build on his solid rookie campaign next season.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Novitiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/novitiate. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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