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
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 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
-
Despite his impressive resume that spans two Group of Seven central banks and major investment firms, Carney is a political novice.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Probationary employees aren't necessarily novices, though.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
The Tallahassee Ballet, a 50-year-old institution with a professional and youth apprentice program, offers a mix of classic and contemporary ballets during the year.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
This bundle focuses primarily on Microsoft Excel, offering beginner, intermediate, and advanced courses.—
Gene Marks,
Forbes,
16 Mar. 2025
-
The Colorado Women’s Intro to Mountain Biking camp, led by women instructors and coaches, is designed for beginners with little or no mountain biking experience.—
Tykesha Spivey Burton,
Essence,
8 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
In 2016, Elizabeth was a freshman at Culleoka Unit School after being homeschooled for most of her life.—
Alex Gurley,
People.com,
15 Mar. 2025
-
As a freshman, Flagg has been the best player in the nation this season averaging 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
If Florida beats Norfolk State, two-time defending national champion UConn could be waiting as a No. 8 seed — the Huskies (23-10) first must beat SEC newcomer Oklahoma (20-13).—
Edgar Thompson,
Orlando Sentinel,
19 Mar. 2025
-
Joining Sandler in the sequel are returning cast members Julie Bowen, Christopher McDonald and Ben Stiller, plus newcomers such as Bad Bunny, Travis Kelce and Sandler’s daughters Sadie and Sunny.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The two overlapped in Miami for one season in 2018 when Johnson was the Dolphins wide receivers coach and Smythe was a rookie.—
Sean Hammond,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2025
-
While the 6-foot-4, 291-pound Fiske was already expected to play a major role for the Rams as a starter during his rookie season, the 24-year-old emerged as one of the top rookies in the NFL, finishing third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.—
DJ Siddiqi,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Novitiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/novitiate. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share