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
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
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
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Real Madrid are at war with each other and are being coached by a novice.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
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During the ceremony, Gabi also took part in purification rituals traditionally reserved for novice monks.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
6 May 2026
Noun
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Nineteen-year-old James Shavers is one of the pre-apprentices at Prosperity Building Futures Trades & Entrepreneurship Training Center.—
Suzanne Le Mignot,
CBS News,
7 May 2026
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Todd Dillender, chief operating officer at Caliber Collision, a chain of auto body repair shops headquartered near Dallas, said his company had been running an apprentice program for years to try and replace their aging workforce.—
James Osborne,
Houston Chronicle,
6 May 2026
Noun
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From a six-room farmhouse in Maine to a clifftop institute in Big Sur, the country offers options that range from gentle and beginner-friendly to fitness-focused and famously demanding.—
Lauren Schuster,
Charlotte Observer,
11 May 2026
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One option is the Akaso 360 Action Camera aimed at the budget-conscious beginner.—
David Szondy
May 09,
New Atlas,
9 May 2026
Noun
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In South Shore League play, freshman Derrick O’Neal drove in the game-winning RBI with his first career varsity hit, as Abington overcame an eight-run deficit in the seventh inning to knock off Carver in extras, 12-10.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
8 May 2026
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One in eight freshmen at UC San Diego requires special remedial math classes just to catch up.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
Noun
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There’s also category newcomer Kevin Hart, whose Funny AF crowned its inaugural winner this week.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
10 May 2026
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Proctor bragged about properly hydrating himself before practice, which is something past and present Dolphins coaches and trainers annually lecture the newcomers about to avoid dehydration, and the use of intravenous fluids.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
10 May 2026
Noun
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With the center unavailable on Pavel Mintyukov’s first-period slashing penalty against Vegas star Mitch Marner, rookie Tim Washe played with both Killorn and Granlund.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
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Joey Cantillo pitched six scoreless innings, rookie Travis Bazzana capped a five-run third inning with a two-run double and the Cleveland Guardians defeated the Angels 7-2 on Monday night.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Novitiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/novitiate. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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