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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 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
-
Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson occupies one of the most powerful positions in state government and faces an election from a complete novice.—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
10 June 2026
-
The veteran politician Becerra received nearly 28% of the vote, and the political novice and former Fox News contributor Hilton received 25%, according to the AP.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Its trio, a lonely fox-deer, an axolotl apprentice healer and a red panda Viking, travel through a darkening natural world as the series folds identity, belonging and environmental crisis.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Then be sure to check out our beginner's guide to photographing the night sky, along with our roundups of the best cameras and lenses for astrophotography.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
9 June 2026
-
Best baseball glove This glove and ball set is the perfect set for beginners.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
From 2020 to 2024, Asheville’s population boomed, with more than 16,000 new residents moving in, and the question of who gets to participate in Appalachian culture found an answer in the square dancing circles that have always welcomed newcomers to the Tar Heel State.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
Agriculture is a relative newcomer, arriving only around 12,000 years ago.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Whereas veteran players will begin their time off later this week, the Dolphins will keep rookies in the building until early next week.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
9 June 2026
-
Duck initially made the Dolphins’ 2024 roster as an undrafted rookie.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Novitiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/novitiate. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
