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.
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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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The Focus Features film cost $13 million, well above the going rate for a novice.Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 19 Dec. 2024
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At this point eight years ago, Mr. Murphy, a political novice with few allies in Trenton, had secured enough support among county Democratic Party bosses that his election seemed all but assured.Tracey Tully, New York Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
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His disappointment was brief; a local HVAC company happened to be looking for apprentices, and hired him.Jon Marcus, NPR, 17 Dec. 2024
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Guillermo was at various points Nandor’s servant, bodyguard, apprentice, housemate, and co-worker.Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
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This AeroPilates reformer is excellent for beginners and saves space.Nora Colomer, Fox News, 28 Dec. 2024
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Budget-friendly infrared devices are a good way for a beginner to enter the world of astronomy.Matt Morris, Space.com, 26 Dec. 2024
Noun
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After a successful freshman year with the Kansas Jayhawks, the Canada native was picked first overall in the 2014 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers.Nasha Smith, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024
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Ethan O’Connor, Washington State: The redshirt freshman and former three-star recruit from Southern California started 12 games for the Cougars and led all freshmen with 12 passes defended this season.Manny Navarro, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Keanu Reeves joins the franchise as Shadow the Hedgehog, while other series newcomers include Alyla Browne and Krysten Ritter.Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Dec. 2024
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Hollywood newcomers like Apple and Amazon started to release more movies in theaters as a way to bring attention to their streaming services.Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
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At 9-5 with a rookie quarterback, a winning mix of kids, journeymen and salary-cap purgatory, this season is already found money — one sack-happy, overachieving honeymoon.Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 18 Dec. 2024
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The rookie quarterback leads the Broncos (9-5) into a critical divisional rematch Thursday as the Chargers (8-6) try to reverse a late-season swoon.Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near novitiate
Cite this Entry
“Novitiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/novitiate. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.
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