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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Example Sentences
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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
-
In many ways, the time trial is the purest form of cycling — a body and a bike, alone against the clock, but its engineering focus means that wealthier teams often excel.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
-
Happening in early May, the festival’s events are pure Americana.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
There she was scolded by the nutritionally chaste household for drinking coffee and wearing leather gloves.—
James Marcus,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
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In Zone 6, chaste tree may die back to the ground in winter but resprouts in the following growing season.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
10 June 2025
Adjective
-
It is described as being in immaculate condition and is showing fewer than 5,400 miles from new.—
Alistair Charlton,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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During their epic performance, Amaia and Nuria are immaculate, perfectly matching each other.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
20 June 2025
Adjective
-
The clean, bright walls along with colorful rugs and hardwood floors can seem impossible for people living in apartments.—
Kaitlyn Keegan,
Hartford Courant,
3 Feb. 2023
-
At the end of the dredging, sediment that’s not placed on the beach could be left in the pit and covered with a layer of clean sand.—
San Diego Union-Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Feb. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Vestal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vestal. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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