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
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The sun and moon appear almost the same size in our sky by pure coincidence.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
10 May 2026
-
Bubble Up has a more natural taste than many of its competitors because it’s made with pure cane sugar and lemon and lime oils, rather than high-fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors, The Tasting Table reported.—
Teresa Mull,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
Adjective
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But this is a kids’ movie, after all, and the brief romantic subplot is entirely chaste.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
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There were other stories that bothered him more, like a post by a writer who recounted a chaste one-night stand with Tea Party activist and Senate candidate Christine O’Donnell that described her pubic hair.—
Frank DiGiacomo,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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The Stewart garden is described as immaculate, well-tended, delightful and inviting.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
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Men begetting men is the story, a kind of immaculate cultural reproduction.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Instead, the Knicks got out of it clean.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
7 May 2026
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Turn the Yamazaki Tower shelves toward the wall for a clean look without the hassle of shoving things into drawers or behind cabinet doors.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vestal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vestal. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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