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novel

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adjective

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective novel differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of novel are fresh, new, and original. While all these words mean "having recently come into existence or use," novel applies to what is not only new but strange or unprecedented.

a novel approach to the problem

When could fresh be used to replace novel?

While the synonyms fresh and novel are close in meaning, fresh applies to what has not lost its qualities of newness such as liveliness, energy, brightness.

a fresh start

In what contexts can new take the place of novel?

Although the words new and novel have much in common, new may apply to what is freshly made and unused, what has not been known before, or what has not been experienced before.

new brick
new designs
starts the new job

When might original be a better fit than novel?

The meanings of original and novel largely overlap; however, original applies to what is the first of its kind to exist.

a man without one original idea

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 novel
Noun
In this tender début novel, Daniel, the precocious pre-teen protagonist, comes of age in rural England. The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025 Based on the Chinese novel Fengshen Yanyi (Investiture Of The Gods), the story follows a demon child raised by humans, who forms an uneasy alliance with the dragon prince, Ao Bing, in an epic battle to protect their clans. Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Looking in different wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum, for example, is a good way to uncover novel things because different objects emit light in different ways. Phil Plait, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2025 That is true not just for leisure tourists but also for conference-goers whose research or work runs afoul of the Trump administration's novel interpretation of the First Amendment as not applying to anyone without citizenship. Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for novel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for novel
Noun
  • Meanwhile, Democrats, whose votes may not be required to propel Trump’s budget into law, are nonetheless practiced at pummeling the majority party using a political and up-to-the-minute economic narrative.
    Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The narrative of his last four seasons has been of the premature end to his once-elite prime.
    Sam Blum, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Graphic novelettes issued by the U.S. Army Cyber Institute aim to educate soldiers about digital threats Stephen Cass 23 Mar 2018 3 min read Stephen Cass is the special projects editor at IEEE Spectrum.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 23 Mar. 2018
  • The next year, Hao Jingfang became the first Chinese woman to win a Hugo, for her novelette Folding Beijing.
    Yi-Ling Liu, Wired, 9 Mar. 2021
Adjective
  • First discovered: 4 hours ago, 12:37 p.m. April 18 Initial location: San Mateo County, Calif. Fire type: Wildfire Fire name: Hill Ic A new wildfire was reported today at 12:37 p.m. in San Mateo County.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Season 5 to explore new relationship, show creator says While some may still be rooting for Emily to patch things up with Gabriel, the focus of this upcoming season will be Emily's relationship with Marcello, Star told Tudum.
    Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The parallels between real life and fiction were haunting.
    Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
  • To receive The New Yorker’s prize-winning journalism, photography, and short films, along with podcasts, cartoons, fiction, and more, sign up for our daily newsletter.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Martin Becker, a professor of environment science and a paleontologist at William Paterson University, had planned to collaborate with a colleague on a comprehensive monograph featuring his fossil collection, according to the civil suit filed last week in Superior Court in Passaic County.
    Terry Dickerson, NBC News, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Solis Betancourt & Sherrill works on residential projects across the country and internationally, and the firm’s timeless work has been celebrated in the monograph Essential Elegance.
    Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • As for the identity of Aradia herself, the name is unfamiliar to contemporary speakers of the dialects spoken in the Tuscany and Romagna regions that Leland allegedly visited.
    Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 18 Apr. 2025
  • For example, some autistic adults are more comfortable spending time with family and lifelong friends, while others may feel more comfortable socializing with unfamiliar people.
    Heidi Moawad, MD, Verywell Health, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • But Leslie does an extraordinary job of providing context for familiar anecdotes, and there are many that will feel surprising.
    Kim Willis, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
  • While Thibodeau praised Brunson’s early conditioning efforts — including pool and bike workouts — the overwhelming majority of data and anecdotes say players can only get in game shape through game reps.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The new premium lemonade has just five ingredients: water, cane sugar, real lemon juice from concentrate, bits of lemon pulp, and natural flavors.
    Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Higher duties on Canadian pulp may squeeze the supply of this household staple.
    Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 28 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Novel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/novel. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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