NOVITIATE Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

novitiate

noun

nō-ˈvi-shət

Definition of novitiate

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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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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for novitiate

Noun

Haaland has become a social media phenomenon, with his own posts and memes from others turning even soccer novices into diehard fans.

— Kaitlyn Huamani, Fortune, 13 July 2026
The last death at San Fermin's bull runs occurred in 2009, but gorings and broken bones are common, partly due to the large number of novice bull runners and foreign tourists who join the experienced locals.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2026

Definition of novice

Noun

The tedium of the task was how the apprentice became the master.

— Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
The sad thing was that within days of becoming an apprentice, he was packed off to hospital for a cartilage operation on a knee that, 10 years later, would bring a permanent end to his career.

— Andy Mitten, New York Times, 17 July 2026

Definition of apprentice

Noun

Float down the Barren Fork River with beginner-friendly kayak rentals, then relax at the 8-acre pet-friendly campground featuring tent sites, RV hookups, and rental campers.

— Korrin Bishop, Southern Living, 18 July 2026
Meanwhile, the Summer Triangle — formed by Vega, Deneb and Altair — hangs almost overhead during the darkest hours, making this one of the easiest seasonal star patterns for beginners to learn.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of beginner

Noun

Included in her village is Kai, who will be soon be a freshman at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, two counties away.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
Gracia, who throws and hits left-handed, was a freshman All-American at Duke and then transferred to UVA for his junior season.

— Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 15 July 2026

Definition of freshman

Noun

The difference between those projects and the 27 data centers that already exist or are being built in Miami-Dade (including three newcomers that have drawn controversy) is the size.

— Alexandra Phelps, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
Significantly, High Plains offered alternatives to more expensive, two-drink-minimum club shows that might scare off casual comedy fans and newcomers to stand-up.

— John Wenzel, Denver Post, 16 July 2026

Definition of newcomer

Noun

Mims is heading into the final year of his rookie deal, while Franklin has this season and 2027 before free agency.

— Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 July 2026
The Warriors rookie responded with 15 points, nine rebounds, three assists and a number of bone-crunching collisions with his fellow 250-pounder.

— Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 15 July 2026

Definition of rookie

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novices

novitiate

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“Novitiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/novitiate. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of novitiate

noun

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