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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But beginners and intermediates shouldn’t be intimidated; there are plenty of runs suited for those just starting out, and A-Basin also boasts an excellent Ski and Ride School.—
Abby Price,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Jan. 2026
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Or head to a park, George English Park for beginners or Holiday Park if things have gotten serious.—
Eric Barton,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
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His strength on defense was particularly impressive for a freshman, as TCU big men Xavier Edmonds and David Punch struggled to create good looks inside the lane thanks in large part to the defense of Peat.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Jan. 2026
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Fellow true freshman Joshua Moore should be in line for a bigger role next season as well.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Several Icons work alongside newcomers, assisting with citizenship applications and teaching music and language classes that preserve their community's cultural heritage.—
Sharon Chin,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Morgan Stanley currently doesn't crack the top-10 list of ETF issuers, according to data compiled by Bloomberg Intelligence, and commands fewer assets in the space than newcomers such as Neos Investments, which got its start in 2022.—
Vildana Hajric Bloomberg,
Arkansas Online,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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McMillan did not surpass the 100-yard rushing mark in any of the remaining games in his rookie season.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
10 Jan. 2026
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Kings rookie and former Stanford star Maxime Raynaud had eight points and seven rebounds while playing in front of many friends.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Novitiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/novitiate. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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