Synonyms of novitiate

novitiate

noun

nō-ˈvi-shət 

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

• novice
• apprentice
• beginner
• freshman
• newcomer
• rookie
• virgin
• fledgling
• recruit
• student
• neophyte
• greenhorn
• colt
• rook
• tenderfoot
• newbie
• tyro
• cub
• punk
• abecedarian
• babe
• trainee
• amateur
• learner
• candidate
• boot
• dabbler
• probationer
• entrant
• dilettante

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• veteran
• master
• vet
• professional
• expert
• pro
• old hand
• old-timer

Example Sentences

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