NOVEL Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

novel 1 of 2

noun

Definition of novel next

as in narrative

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in novelette

Synonyms & Similar Words

novel

2 of 2

adjective

ˈnä-vəl

as in new

not known or experienced before that's a novel idea for a TV series

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples of novel in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Ben Affleck Spotted on Set of New Movie as His Divorce from Jennifer Lopez Continues to Be Finalized Small Things Like These, meanwhile, is adapted from the 2022 novel by Claire Keegan and features Oscar-winner Murphy, 48, as both star and producer. —

Tommy McArdle, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024 Entertainment Weekly can exclusively debut the cover for the novel, as well as share an exclusive excerpt. —

Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 2 Nov. 2024

Adjective

Post-approval safety issues arose for a third of novel drugs approved from 2001 through 2010, leading a small number to be pulled from the market and many more to be labeled with additional safety warnings, research shows. —

Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 4 Nov. 2024 Either way, the full-on construction of novel worlds and beings gives scientists an opportunity to study the mind in the midst of one of its most dazzling abilities: creating worlds of experience. —

Oshan Jarow, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for novel

Recent Examples of Synonyms for novel

Noun

The Democratic-leaning Latino groups pushed back on that narrative, citing their own polling.

Suzanne Gamboa, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Parker recorded interviews with 12 British men and women who had been convicted of murder, then transcribed and edited their words to create a series of extraordinary first-person narratives.

The Week US, theweek, 12 Nov. 2024