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
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
The regulars chuckled, the virgins-no-more cheered and, after some ground rules, the shuttle was off.
—Kylie Volavongsa, jsonline.com, 7 Aug. 2025
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
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
-
To make the process even easier for novices, the M2 leverages AI to detect the type of materials inserted and automatically adjust the settings for cutting, engraving, or just scoring to make thinner materials easier to flex and fold.—
Andrew Liszewski,
The Verge,
27 May 2026
-
In 2025, multiple AI developers imposed additional safeguards after internal testing revealed models could meaningfully aid novices in biological weapons development.—
Jordan Henry,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
Make labeling your emotions a habit Sauer-Zavala tells beginners to try labeling their big emotions just once a day for a week, rather than treating it as a lifelong project.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
10 June 2026
-
Best baseball glove This glove and ball set is the perfect set for beginners.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
For one year as well, apprentices stay protected, working with a senior employee to avoid burning out.—
Megan Shinn,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
-
Arthur Bryant’s and Gates Bar-B-Q, whose origins can be traced back to Henry Perry through his apprentices decades ago.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Hughes and Brindley were freshmen together at Michigan.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
30 May 2026
-
Colleges and universities looking at D203 transcripts and seeing freshmen started high school with a second year of language or advanced math already assume the district offers a rigorous academic course load, Willard said.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Many of these Catholic newcomers, fleeing famine and persecution, were disparaged as poor, illiterate and superstitious.—
Matthew Smith,
The Conversation,
8 June 2026
-
After the game, roughly half of the Inter Miami players, mostly newcomers and younger players, went over toward the North stands, applauded and paid tribute to La Familia.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
That leaves the Patriots with Henry, Jack Westover, CJ Dippre and rookies Eli Raridon and Tanner Arkin at the position.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
10 June 2026
-
Whereas veteran players will begin their time off later this week, the Dolphins will keep rookies in the building until early next week.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Virgins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virgins. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
