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
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
Braverman underwent three years of training after entering the novitiate, where she was surrounded by women of all ages, some also fresh out of high school and others who joined later in life.
—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
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
Braverman underwent three years of training after entering the novitiate, where she was surrounded by women of all ages, some also fresh out of high school and others who joined later in life.
—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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For seasoned cooks and kitchen novices, cookbook author and nutritionist Robin Miller takes it back to the basics with great, family-friendly recipes worth making over and over again.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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Both veteran and novice skiers were on our trip, guided by the father-son team at Spor Guiding, and appeared to be having the times of their lives.—
Susan B. Barnes,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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And for design lovers, there’s Taliesin West, built by Frank Lloyd Wright and his apprentices in the 1930s (and expanded upon until the architect’s death in 1959).—
Mark Ellwood,
AFAR Media,
7 Nov. 2025
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Kardashian, who is the daughter of the prominent late attorney Robert Kardashian, began studying law in 2018 through California’s Law Office Study Program, which allows aspiring lawyers to apprentice under licensed attorneys instead of attending law school.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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My Setup My setup cost around $500 and consisted of a basic beginner's tripod, a Canon EOS Rebel T3i and two Canon lenses.—
Harry Bennett,
Space.com,
10 Nov. 2025
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Cozyverse was written with omegaverse beginners in mind, giving readers an easy entry point to our favorite genre, while also crafting stories that would be fresh and exciting to long-time omegaverse fans.—
Emilia Emerson,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The election night party was for the freshman Miami Congresswoman of Florida’s Congressional District 27 — a district with the largest share of Hispanic residents anywhere in the state — who danced her way past the treats, onto the makeshift stage to declare victory for a second term.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
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Xochitl Gomez has been cast in CBS‘s freshman police procedural Boston Blue in a recurring role.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The movie welcomes franchise newcomers Ernie Hudson, Conan O’Brien and Greta Lee as the voice of Lilypad, according to Pixar’s trailer description on YouTube.—
Dan Heching,
CNN Money,
12 Nov. 2025
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Tony Award winner Maleah Joi Moon will lead the cast as Deborah, joined by Alijah Kai, Chibuikem Uche, Cornell Young IV, Jordan Aaron Hall, and newcomer Kennedi Reece.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The former Colorado standout began his rookie NFL season as the third quarterback on the Browns' depth chart.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
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Or, will rookie receiver Matthew Golden become a bigger factor in Green Bay's offense?—
Jim Reineking,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Novitiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/novitiate. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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