nun

noun

Definition of nunnext
as in abbess

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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 nun Another early-’80s sensation, the prodigy Andrea Jaeger, retired at 20 and later became a nun. — Josh Levin, The Atlantic, 9 July 2026 Over the last week, the agency has arrested 10,000 people, including a nun in Texas who was later released after outcry from officials, community leaders and activists. — Vera Lucia Pappaterra, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026 This spiritual, metaphysical, and downright weird show is ostensibly about a nun’s quest to find and destroy the Holy Grail, which will result in the deactivation of the powerful, pervasive AI that gives the series its name. — Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026 The Catholic nun from Nigeria was released hours later after Democratic and Republican lawmakers intervened. — Arelis R. Hernández, Washington Post, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for nun
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nun
  1. abbess
  2. monk
  3. prioress
  4. priestess
  5. religious
  6. friar
  7. novice
  8. sister
Noun
  • Hildegard was a Catholic abbess of the Benedictine Order.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Now, thanks to a greater emphasis on women’s education in recent years, Tibetan Buddhist nuns are increasingly becoming teachers and abbesses.
    — Darcie Price-Wallace, The Conversation, 26 Sep. 2025
Definition of abbess
Noun
  • Apps such as Headspace, Calm and Plum Village – inspired by the Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh – are helping people build a steady practice, reduce stress and improve sleep.
    — Ronald S. Green, The Conversation, 16 July 2026
  • Ryushin, the Buddhist monk at the center of Crows Are White was keeping his identity private until completing his monastic training.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 9 July 2026
Definition of monk
Noun
  • The slow-burn thriller is partially based on a 17th century ballad in which the heroic outlaw’s cousin, a malevolent prioress, bleeds the older, ailing Robin to death under the guise of the ancient medical treatment known as bloodletting.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 22 June 2026
  • After Robin is gravely injured, he is taken in by the sage prioress Brigid (Jodie Comer), who nurses him back to health at an island convent.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 17 June 2026
Definition of prioress
Noun
  • The Rat Queen is Riley Pinkerton, mild-mannered doom priestess and Brooklyn artist, whose musical and visual dreams fuel her band’s raging odyssey.
    — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 29 June 2026
  • Centuries ago, people throughout the Mediterranean region came to consult it via the Pythia or priestess to see what the Greek god Apollo had to say about their future.
    — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2026
Definition of priestess
Noun
  • As a young religious, Bishop-elect Lombardo did missionary work in Bolivia and Honduras.
    — Laura Rodríguez Presa, chicagotribune.com, 11 Sep. 2020
Definition of religious
Noun
  • Fra Giovanni da Pian del Carpine, who was a medieval Italian Franciscan friar and explorer in 1244 went to Mongolia [as a papal ambassador].
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 13 June 2026
  • The storied residence was first commissioned in 1712 by Anna Gravina, Princess of Gravina and Valguarnera, and it's also attributed to Dominican friar and architect Tommaso Maria Napoli.
    — Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
Definition of friar
Noun
  • Knowledgeable bartenders guide novices and obsessives alike, making an overwhelming list feel approachable rather than intimidating.
    — USA TODAY NETWORK, USA Today, 29 July 2026
  • With tastings, master classes, wine-and-food pairing seminars, conversations, concerts, and in several cases, auctions, wine festivals offer something for everyone from novice to expert.
    — Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 23 July 2026
Definition of novice
Noun
  • Maske says the image of Nider with his sisters perfectly reflects who his friend was.
    — Brian Maass, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Andrew Lamb and Kaylyn Bacich attended the celebration with Bacich’s sister and friends.
    — Sophia Buonpane, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of sister

Browse Nearby Words

numskulls
nun
nuncio
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nun. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on nun

Nglish: Translation of nun for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All