as in novice
a person who is just starting out in a field of activity
a novitiate in the rarefied world of international diplomacy, the recently appointed ambassador is treading cautiously
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Recent Examples of novitiate
Braverman underwent three years of training after entering the novitiate, where she was surrounded by women of all ages, some also fresh out of high school and others who joined later in life.
—
Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
There was another case involving 2024’s Immaculate and The First Omen, and both films deal with two young American novitiates whose bodily autonomy is forcibly taken away in the most disturbing ways imaginable.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Oct. 2024
In a retreat focused on the Virgin Mary held one month before the group was to enter the novitiate, the Mistress of Postulants told them that the 10 months of the postulancy are like the months of pregnancy—that the postulants were, in a very real spiritual sense, gestating Jesus in their wombs.
—Rebecca J. Lester, Scientific American, 1 June 2023
In 2011, Strassburger entered the Jesuit novitiate in Grand Coteau, Louisiana.
—Jack Herrera, The New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2024
Nell Tiger Free stars as a young American novitiate at an Italian orphanage who becomes embroiled in a rogue Catholic Church conspiracy to birth the antichrist.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 5 June 2024
Set in the early 1970s, the story revolves around Margaret (an impressive Nell Tiger Free, Servant), a young novitiate sent by the Church to Rome to work at an orphanage.
—Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Apr. 2024
Playing a nurse named Ann who lives next door to distraught widowed father Victor Fielding (Leslie Odom Jr.) and his 13-year-old daughter Angela (Lidya Jewett), Dowd is given a clunky backstory as a one-time novitiate nun, who abandoned plans to join the convent after breaking her commitment.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Victor’s neighbor, Ann (Ann Dowd), a nurse and former novitiate, enlists a priest, Father Maddox (E.J. Bonilla), to perform an exorcism on the girls.
—Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2023
Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
There was another case involving 2024’s Immaculate and The First Omen, and both films deal with two young American novitiates whose bodily autonomy is forcibly taken away in the most disturbing ways imaginable.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Oct. 2024
In a retreat focused on the Virgin Mary held one month before the group was to enter the novitiate, the Mistress of Postulants told them that the 10 months of the postulancy are like the months of pregnancy—that the postulants were, in a very real spiritual sense, gestating Jesus in their wombs.
—Rebecca J. Lester, Scientific American, 1 June 2023
In 2011, Strassburger entered the Jesuit novitiate in Grand Coteau, Louisiana.
—Jack Herrera, The New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2024
Nell Tiger Free stars as a young American novitiate at an Italian orphanage who becomes embroiled in a rogue Catholic Church conspiracy to birth the antichrist.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 5 June 2024
Set in the early 1970s, the story revolves around Margaret (an impressive Nell Tiger Free, Servant), a young novitiate sent by the Church to Rome to work at an orphanage.
—Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Apr. 2024
Playing a nurse named Ann who lives next door to distraught widowed father Victor Fielding (Leslie Odom Jr.) and his 13-year-old daughter Angela (Lidya Jewett), Dowd is given a clunky backstory as a one-time novitiate nun, who abandoned plans to join the convent after breaking her commitment.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Victor’s neighbor, Ann (Ann Dowd), a nurse and former novitiate, enlists a priest, Father Maddox (E.J. Bonilla), to perform an exorcism on the girls.
—Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for novitiate
Noun
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In the film, former Olympian Irving Blitzer, played by the late actor, coaches a novice four-man bobsleigh team from Jamaica.—
Sharareh Drury,
People.com,
29 Mar. 2025
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Mood and well-being of novice open water swimmers and controls during an introductory outdoor swimming programme: A feasibility study Biology.—
Sara Novak,
Discover Magazine,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Sixteen candidates participated in challenges for a $250,000 salary as an apprentice at The Trump Organization.—
Lauren Irwin,
The Hill,
10 Mar. 2025
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After college, Heil auditioned and was accepted into a two-year apprentice program at Ballet Austin in Texas, but when the program ended, he wasn’t hired.—
Marcia Luttrell,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Some drivers cost less than $10, but these are entirely meant for beginners.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2025
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Texas Hold’em Poker Lessons for Beginners Monday (weekly) from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. This beginner’s class is designed to teach the fundamentals of Texas Hold’em in a fun and engaging environment.—
Kris Slugg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Bain had 44 tackles (13 for loss) and 7.5 sacks as a freshman in 2023, then produced 23 tackles (six for loss) and 3.5 sacks in nine games last season.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2025
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Duke Projected starters: Cayden Boozer (freshman), Caleb Foster, Isaiah Evans, Cameron Boozer (freshman), Patrick Ngongba Notable returners: Darren Harris, Maliq Brown Other newcomers: Shelton Henderson, Nikolas Khamenia Duke could have some roster retention work to do here.—
CJ Moore,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Taylor-Johnson and newcomer Alfie Williams must journey from their island haven into the continent.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
1 Apr. 2025
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Its newcomers, Oklahoma and Texas, were part of this year’s field of 68.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Instead, the defensive end had three sacks, six quarterback hits and six tackles for loss in Year 2 after posting four sacks, 10 quarterback hits and eight tackles for loss as a rookie.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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The win was the first for Holmes as a starter since his rookie season in 2018.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Novitiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/novitiate. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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