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
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
The origin story of the evil spirit Valak from The Conjuring 2, The Nun stars Taissa Farmiga (sister of Vera) as Irene, a young novitiate and clairvoyant summoned to a convent to investigate a fellow nun’s suicide.
—Vulture, 8 Sep. 2023
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
The origin story of the evil spirit Valak from The Conjuring 2, The Nun stars Taissa Farmiga (sister of Vera) as Irene, a young novitiate and clairvoyant summoned to a convent to investigate a fellow nun’s suicide.
—Vulture, 8 Sep. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for novitiate
Noun
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Now, Trump has four years of White House experience while Vance is a novice.—
Roy Brownell,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Jan. 2025
-
While a novice might think that selecting the right fly is the key to catching fish, seasoned anglers know that meticulous attention to every element of the fishing process leads to a rewarding day on the water.—
Brennan Drew,
Forbes,
13 Jan. 2025
Noun
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In Part 1 of an exclusive interview, Brian shared the incredible journey that led him here—starting as a chemist for a dental company, moving into the labs of William Grant & Sons, and eventually becoming the apprentice and successor of the legendary Malt Master, David Stewart.—
Noel Burgess,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
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Inside, the past and the present merge for her former master to provide Ahsoka with some sage advice and the necessary skills to pass on her knowledge to her own apprentice, Sabine Wren.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
21 Dec. 2024
Noun
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This ultramodern property just 15 minutes away from Woodstock is one of our favorite treehouse Airbnbs, offering a luxe off-the-grid experience for seasoned (or beginner) glampers.—
Rachel Fletcher,
Architectural Digest,
23 Jan. 2025
-
All are welcome from beginners to those with a practice for years.—
Joe Rassel,
Orlando Sentinel,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Younger brother Eric is a freshman on varsity at Oxnard.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Jan. 2025
-
The freshman guard scored eight points and played stellar defense as H-F rolled to a 76-60 SouthWest Suburban Conference victory over host Sandburg in Orland Park.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Several of our friends disembarked in Salt Lake City and newcomers joined in the middle of the night.—
Christin Parcerisa Vigueras,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Jan. 2025
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The Bruins have lost four consecutive games against conference veterans after winning two games against fellow Big Ten newcomers Washington and Oregon.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Those talks will likely involve some combination of first-round draft picks and young players, including rookie guard Stephon Castle, fifth-year guard Devin Vassell and third-year forward Jeremy Sochan.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacramento Bee,
29 Jan. 2025
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That's not to say rookie quarterbacks are always ready to go by Week 1 of the regular season, but the Jets might want someone who can be ready to go when the 2025 season starts.—
Jonathan Granoff,
Newsweek,
28 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near novitiate
Cite this Entry
“Novitiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/novitiate. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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