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
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
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
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
-
Harper and Yasmin, who’s emerged as the series’ co-lead, started out among Pierpoint’s newest hires; by the end of Season 3, the firm had been effectively dissolved, its novice traders scattered to the winds.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The story of how 36-year-old novice producer Robert Evans became the head of production at Paramount in 1966 is the stuff of legend.—
Hadley Hall Meares,
Vanity Fair,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
At one station, three apprentices showed the congresswoman paper sketches of plumbing construction designs.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 Feb. 2026
-
At one station, three apprentices showed the congresswoman paper sketches of plumbing construction designs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Suites with interconnecting doors across the balcony are a great choice for larger families, and most regular activities include child-friendly options, like the beginner’s surfing classes in calmer waves or toddler bikes for cycling along the nature reserve.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Feb. 2026
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Revelstoke Mountain Resort boasts the most vertical in North America (5,620 feet) and has a rugged feel with chutes and bowls up top and beginner-friendly terrain near the base.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The pained look on the freshman’s face and the hush of the Galen Center in those first few seconds was enough to transport at least some of the USC faithful in the crowd back to last March, when Trojan superstar JuJu Watkins injured her knee not far from the same spot.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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But Stangel also praised Hale’s efforts defending Jillian Sanderson, Penn’s standout freshman guard.—
Michael Osipoff,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For some newcomers to community engagement around immigration, joining such action gives them a sense of purpose and usefulness.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
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In January, the governor took the unusual step of snubbing Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, a fellow Republican state officeholder, and throwing his support behind political newcomer Nate Sheets in the primary.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Those 26 wins were the extent of his success, a great rookie season to be sure, but not exactly a guarantee that Tang was John Wooden in waiting.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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Running back Cam Skattebo, who was putting together a strong rookie campaign for the New York Giants in 2025 before suffering a season-ending ankle injury in Week 8, played for Sac State in 2021 and 2022 before transferring to Arizona State.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Novitiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/novitiate. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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