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
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My reaction was pure confusion, sarcasm, and not ill-intended.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Apr. 2026
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Sitting at a baby grand piano, Mars prompted swoons with his delivery of the lyrics, his pure voice holding notes with the same muscularity as early in the show.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Rue’s comparatively chaste behavior this season — including in scenes with high school love Jules (the always magnetic Hunter Schafer) — feels like a concession to Zendaya’s huge star power and public image.—
Carla Meyer,
San Francisco Chronicle,
8 Apr. 2026
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Since the 19th century, the iconography of submissive, beautiful, chaste, thin, white motherhood has reigned supreme in the cultural imagination.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The vibes have been immaculate from the batting order, to the pitching rotation, to the bullpen, and everywhere in between.—
Dane Mizutani,
Twin Cities,
14 Apr. 2026
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Augusta National doesn't speak in numbers — from the size of the gallery to how fast the greens are running on the Stimpmeter — but the course is believe to have some 80,000 flowering plants and trees on its immaculate landscape.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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This hanging toiletry bag has a spacious interior with multiple easy-to-clean compartments and an impressive near-five-star rating on Amazon.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2026
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Sober living spaces, ongoing therapy, jobs, basic housing, all of this will be needed after Mass and Cass addicts move off the streets and into a clean, healthy life.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vestal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vestal. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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