virginal

adjective

ˈvər-jə-nᵊl How to pronounce virginal (audio)
Definition of virginalnext
1
as in pristine
being in an original and unused or unspoiled state one of the state's few remaining tracts of virginal prairie

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unmarried
never having had sexual relations a virginal girl who would not permit any liberties to be taken with her body

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in pure
free from any trace of the coarse or indecent the romance between the young boy and girl is portrayed with virginal innocence that is touching in this day and age

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of virginal Brides were expected, in most cultures at various points in history, to be virginal, pure and dedicated to their husbands. — Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 23 May 2026 Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel is a slow read with an out-of-time atmosphere, really one of the most virginal and repressed romance stories of all time. — Anna Gaca, Pitchfork, 20 Feb. 2026 Our idols were allowed to either be good girls—militantly wholesome and seemingly virginal—or train wrecks, unmoored and wild, and thus subjected to a litany of bullying and ridicule for their actions. — Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 17 Feb. 2026 Someone with the virginal purity of a political outsider and the intrinsic capability of an insider who’s spent decades cutting deals and keeping the government wheels spinning. — Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for virginal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virginal
  1. pristine
  2. unmarried
  3. pure
  4. fresh
  5. virgin
  6. immaculate
  7. maiden
  8. chaste
Adjective
  • Building on a legacy The mission to the Martian moons builds on Japan’s success in leading the Hayabusa and Hayabusa 2 missions, the world’s first two spacecraft to bring back pristine specimens from asteroids.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Chalk it up to premium materials and componentry to deliver pristine, noise-free sound from lossless digital media.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of pristine
Adjective
  • While increases occurred across nearly all demographic groups, some of the largest were seen among younger and unmarried parents, those in lower-income households and those without a four-year college degree.
    — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The archaic legal restrictions restricting same-sex couples or unmarried women, for example, are acknowledged and adhered to, rather than being openly challenged or criticized.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of unmarried
Adjective
  • In My Own Words is a product of the enchantment and pure yearning Ne-Yo saw as fundamental to R&B.
    — Clover Hope, Pitchfork, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The 100% pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils are crafted to deliver long-lasting, natural fragrance.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of pure
Adjective
  • Memories are fresh of the nationwide protests sparked by economic pressures that led to a deadly crackdown weeks before the war.
    — Amir-Hussein Radjy, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Most of the candy is in spotless Plexiglas bins, hundreds of them, and throughout the shop are fresh confections such as ice cream, sodas, a chocolate fountain.
    — Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of fresh
Adjective
  • Extra virgin olive oil is the only type of oil anyone should cook with, Relota Luczo believes.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The mattresses from the Spanish brand Sivana (founded by former soccer player Miguel Serna) are hypoallergenic and handmade from natural materials (horsehair, linen, wool, and virgin cotton).
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of virgin
Adjective
  • Of the 14 horses who live in immaculate pens on the property, the majority were rescued from kill pens.
    — Lisa Hughes, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The vibes were immaculate at State Farm Arena on Wednesday night.
    — Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of immaculate
Adjective
  • Peacock’s maiden second-quarter profit was lifted by FIFA World Cup games, which contributed $440 million in incremental media revenues.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
  • After victories at Real Sociedad and at home against Sturm Graz, the English club faces its toughest challenge yet in its perfect maiden European campaign.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of maiden
Adjective
  • Then there was the rather chaste kiss on Evans’s show late last year.
    — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 June 2026
  • Deadhead your chaste tree in late winter to promote flowering in the spring and summer months.
    — Steve Bender, Southern Living, 19 May 2026
Definition of chaste

Browse Nearby Words

virgin
virginal
virginity
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Cite this Entry

“Virginal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virginal. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on virginal

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about virginal

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