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
Public health stats show maybe 5%-10% of those getting married in the United States are virgins at the altar.
—
Lauren Green, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026
How many spells were cast, how many virgins were sacrificed, how many first-borns were murdered so that this could happen?
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 27 May 2026
The mass executions of political prisoners in 1988 are well documented—including the fact that some young women among them were first raped by their guards, on the theologically dubious premise that virgins could not be executed.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 27 May 2026
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
Lauren Green, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026
How many spells were cast, how many virgins were sacrificed, how many first-borns were murdered so that this could happen?
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 27 May 2026
The mass executions of political prisoners in 1988 are well documented—including the fact that some young women among them were first raped by their guards, on the theologically dubious premise that virgins could not be executed.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 27 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virgins
Noun
-
Aspiring nuns begin their training in this convent, and novices take their vows before being sent out to serve the community.—
Sophie Neiman,
NPR,
20 June 2026
-
This makes these spots good for young anglers and novices as well as those with mobility challenges.—
Kaitlyn Keegan,
Hartford Courant,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
How to find Mercury on June 15 The Celestron NexStar 4SE is ideal for beginners wanting quality, reliable and quick views of the night sky.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
15 June 2026
-
Check out this soccer guide for beginners and aficionados.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
The location is intended to help students, technicians, apprentices, and engineers move directly into careers linked to quantum technologies.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
17 June 2026
-
Regular midwives were primarily women, trained as apprentices but not institutionally educated.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Committed to Mark Few and Gonzaga for more than eight months, Johnson has a chance to become one of the better perimeter freshmen the Bulldogs have had in recent years.—
Tobias Bass,
New York Times,
15 June 2026
-
UConn brought in nine new players this offseason – seven transfers and two freshmen – after losing five to expiring eligibility and five more to the transfer portal.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Banquet halls were where a parcel could get dropped off to reach the airport or where Armenian newcomers could learn about resources for government assistance.—
Ani Duzdabanyan,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
-
He is joined by newcomers Leo Woodall as Halvard, Kate Winslet as Marigol, and returning franchise stars Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Elijah Wood as Frodo, and Lee Pace as Thranduil.—
Sharareh Drury,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
Delaney, Kutryk and Teteryatnikov are all rookies.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 June 2026
-
Smith had reportedly visited Levi’s Stadium to speak to new 49ers rookies as soon as one week before his death.—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Virgins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virgins. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
