as in pure
free from any trace of the coarse or indecent
a schoolteacher who dresses with almost vestal modesty while on the job
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Recent Examples of vestal
These vestal get-ups are, in fact, the latest in a long line of subversive pop culture interpretations of the lives (and loves) of nuns.
—
Leah Dolan, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
There were papal cloaks styled as trench coats, and vestal robes turned into coveralls, but with a solemn finish that showed respect for both the clothes and the creative congregation that wants to wear them.
—Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Sep. 2022
Souza sets out to reacquaint us with that vanished world, where norms obtained and men were men and words had meaning—where the sun rose on the shrines of our ancestors and six virgins ceaselessly guarded the vestal flame.
—Katy Waldman, Slate Magazine, 3 Aug. 2017
Leah Dolan, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
There were papal cloaks styled as trench coats, and vestal robes turned into coveralls, but with a solemn finish that showed respect for both the clothes and the creative congregation that wants to wear them.
—Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Sep. 2022
Souza sets out to reacquaint us with that vanished world, where norms obtained and men were men and words had meaning—where the sun rose on the shrines of our ancestors and six virgins ceaselessly guarded the vestal flame.
—Katy Waldman, Slate Magazine, 3 Aug. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vestal
Adjective
-
About 10 minutes into the party, pure silence blanketed the room.—
Sofia Zarran,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Young is pure New York, having grown up at Sleepy Hollow when his father was the head pro.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The best time to prune chaste tree is in late winter.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Dec. 2025
-
Chihiro and Hiruhiko were engaging in the sort of passionate but chaste dude-bro melodrama that takes place only in shōnen manga.—
Matt Alt,
New Yorker,
25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The decor inside is immaculate.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
28 Feb. 2026
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With celebrity attendees including A$AP Rocky, Spike Lee, Janelle Monaé and Usher, the Met steps were full of immaculate suiting, custom couture and inventive takes on tailoring.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Energy and climate experts agree California must add much more clean energy to its grid, some 6 gigawatts by 2032, the California Public Utilities Commission said in a new plan last week.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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Things are usually a little cleaner come February; however, Friday’s report is expected to include some noteworthy quirks.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vestal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vestal. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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