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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The Pitch & Putt is a short nine-hole course that’s well-suited for novice players.—
Erin Gifford,
Southern Living,
12 Oct. 2025
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For seasoned cooks and kitchen novices, cookbook author and nutritionist Robin Miller takes it back to basics with great, family-friendly recipes worth making over and over again.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The trailer shows Hemsworth’s Geralt assembling an army of adventurers to track down his former Witcher apprentice Ciri (Freya Allan).—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
7 Oct. 2025
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He and his apprentices host glass- blowing classes on Fridays and Saturdays (reservation required), when guests can make anything from a bowl to a tumbler to an ornament.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Showcase the messy beginner stage, on social media, to your close circles of friends — not just the end product.—
Sinéad O'Sullivan,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
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This form of exercise is suitable for all fitness levels, especially beginners.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Rough Riders nearly had three 100 yard receivers on the night with Stewart, Derek Harris (10 catches-146 yards) and freshman Deon Duncan (8-96).—
Updated October 10,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Oct. 2025
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The streamer then proceeded with the three freshman crime/thriller dramas, renewing the Bosch spinoff Ballard and canceling Countdown and Butterfly.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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And jazz-pop newcomer Laufey has made her mark by blending timeless sounds with Gen Z realities, building a strong audience of fans of her work and admirers of her musical ability.—
Maura Johnston,
Rolling Stone,
7 Oct. 2025
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Forward and newcomer Kurtis MacDermid remains on the roster.—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Biadasz came to the Commanders last year after spending his first four years with the Dallas Cowboys, so the veteran center and rookie quarterback had to get to work quickly in order to gel with each other.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
9 Oct. 2025
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The Heat rookie received 17% of the vote.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Novitiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/novitiate. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
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