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
And Olympic-sponsor hierarchy was guarded like vestal virginity.
—
Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2026
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
Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vestal
Adjective
-
Couples who stay close over the long haul rarely run on pure self-sacrifice.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
-
What ensued was 90 minutes of pure sound.—
David Close,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
Adjective
-
Deadhead your chaste tree in late winter to promote flowering in the spring and summer months.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
19 May 2026
-
Features chaste berry, cramp bark, shatavari root, dandelion root and ginger.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
This season, the vibes remained immaculate.—
Mike Vorkunov,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
The Astros are the first team to throw two immaculate innings in the same game, as Luis Garcia strikes out the side on nine pitches in the 2nd, and Phil Maton repeats the feat in the 7th.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
There will be significant clean-sheet hopes with him, too.—
Holly Shand,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
During a phase of sleep called slow-wave, the brain’s vascular system pulses rhythmically, literally pumping cerebrospinal fluid through its innards and washing them clean.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vestal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vestal. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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