as in novices
a person who is just starting out in a field of activity
a virgin in the world of comedy clubs, he's still learning to deal with hecklers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 virgins
The hilltop structures were originally built as Catholic shrines dedicated to the virgins they're named after, but were turned into military fortresses in the early 1800s—they have since been rehabilitated for tourism.
—
Christin Parcerisa Vigueras, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2026
But fans of the myth of Erzsébet Báthory, who was accused circa the early 17th century of killing young virgins to bathe in their blood for her own beautification, might be let down by what’s ultimately a silly, madcap Vienna adventure.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 18 Feb. 2026
The film, directed by renowned German New Wave artist and filmmaker Ulrike Ottinger, is the latest retelling of the story of Hungarian Countess Elizabeth Báthory, a real-life aristocrat accused of bathing in the blood of virgins to retain her youth.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Jan. 2026
According to Castro, nuns, who were supposed to be professional virgins—no Duke of Monmouth for them—could try bloodletting or enemas for a cure.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 27 Sep. 2025
Predictably, the hubbub surrounding the photo was eventually framed as a war between uptight virgins and godless heathens, with a quieter contingent astounded only by the fact that this kind of marketing could still be so effective.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2025
The regulars chuckled, the virgins-no-more cheered and, after some ground rules, the shuttle was off.
—Kylie Volavongsa, jsonline.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Christin Parcerisa Vigueras, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2026
But fans of the myth of Erzsébet Báthory, who was accused circa the early 17th century of killing young virgins to bathe in their blood for her own beautification, might be let down by what’s ultimately a silly, madcap Vienna adventure.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 18 Feb. 2026
The film, directed by renowned German New Wave artist and filmmaker Ulrike Ottinger, is the latest retelling of the story of Hungarian Countess Elizabeth Báthory, a real-life aristocrat accused of bathing in the blood of virgins to retain her youth.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Jan. 2026
According to Castro, nuns, who were supposed to be professional virgins—no Duke of Monmouth for them—could try bloodletting or enemas for a cure.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 27 Sep. 2025
Predictably, the hubbub surrounding the photo was eventually framed as a war between uptight virgins and godless heathens, with a quieter contingent astounded only by the fact that this kind of marketing could still be so effective.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2025
The regulars chuckled, the virgins-no-more cheered and, after some ground rules, the shuttle was off.
—Kylie Volavongsa, jsonline.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virgins
Noun
-
Both of the Broadway novices are proudly bearing souvenirs of other passion projects.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Many of us, both novices and veterans alike, tend to use too much force when molding our patties.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Folsom has Lake Natoma, which the campaign says caters to beginners, families and competitive paddlers, citing the lake’s 5 mph speed limit.—
Corey Schmidt,
Sacbee.com,
1 May 2026
-
Most beginners assume more water equals a happier plant.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Baptism of Christ is generally believed to have been completed by El Greco’s son and other apprentices in his workshop in the decade after the artist died.—
Leigh Anne Miller,
ARTnews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Art historians believe it was unfinished at the time El Greco died in 1614 and that it was completed by the painter’s son, Jorge Manuel, with help from other apprentices in El Greco’s workshop.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Maple, meanwhile, is joined by utility player Emily Moline as one of three freshmen for the Saints.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
-
Palisades got five goals each from freshmen Emma Traister and Lulu Rotter, and senior Mae Resnick added three to finish the season with 80 goals as the Dolphins (14-7-1) won by the widest margin ever in a City girls final, topping the 10-goal difference when Birmingham beat Palisades 11-1 in 2015.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
But its games still bring a mix of newcomers, out-of-towners and people who couldn’t get tickets to whatever was going on at The Sphere.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
-
The friendships were fleeting, necessarily occasional, as there were always church newcomers and samplers and people moving away.—
Chang-rae Lee,
New Yorker,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
Eric Galko, the director of football operations for the East-West Shrine bowl, is bullish about several Dolphins rookies who will debut during the team’s minicamp on Friday.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
-
Root for the new rookies who were just selected in the NFL Draft.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Virgins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virgins. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
