as in novices
a person who is just starting out in a field of activity
our senator is just a freshman in Congress
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Recent Examples of freshmen
Fabulous freshmen Keaton Wagler and David Mirkovic combined for just 11 points in that game.
—
Ryan Baker, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
The limit is predicated on the idea that athletes should finish their collegiate careers around the same time as their classmates and shouldn’t hold roster spots that would otherwise go to incoming freshmen or transfer students.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 3 Apr. 2026
But behind him are rising sophomore Luka Gilbert, redshirt junior Jackson Carver and freshmen Israel Briggs and Gavin Mueller.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
The Gamecocks look dramatically different from 2025 after graduating three starters and losing star forward Chloe Kitts to an ACL tear, also bringing in two transfers plus three freshmen this season.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026
Until 1968 – and 1972 for football and basketball – freshmen weren’t even allowed to play at the varsity level.
—Andrew Urbaczewski, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026
Others are ready to play on varsity as freshmen because of their physical and mental prowess.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Mirković took a straight line toward Wagler, slapping his hand and then bringing him in for a long hug — two freshmen raised 5,000 miles apart who came together to help the Illini reach their first Final Four since 2005.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
However, Lloyd's Wildcats feature star freshmen who seem NBA-bound after this college season, including Brayden Burries and Koa Peat.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Ryan Baker, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
The limit is predicated on the idea that athletes should finish their collegiate careers around the same time as their classmates and shouldn’t hold roster spots that would otherwise go to incoming freshmen or transfer students.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 3 Apr. 2026
But behind him are rising sophomore Luka Gilbert, redshirt junior Jackson Carver and freshmen Israel Briggs and Gavin Mueller.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
The Gamecocks look dramatically different from 2025 after graduating three starters and losing star forward Chloe Kitts to an ACL tear, also bringing in two transfers plus three freshmen this season.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026
Until 1968 – and 1972 for football and basketball – freshmen weren’t even allowed to play at the varsity level.
—Andrew Urbaczewski, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026
Others are ready to play on varsity as freshmen because of their physical and mental prowess.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Mirković took a straight line toward Wagler, slapping his hand and then bringing him in for a long hug — two freshmen raised 5,000 miles apart who came together to help the Illini reach their first Final Four since 2005.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
However, Lloyd's Wildcats feature star freshmen who seem NBA-bound after this college season, including Brayden Burries and Koa Peat.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for freshmen
Noun
-
In China, OpenClaw has received a particularly fervent welcome among AI enthusiasts and novices alike.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
-
For seasoned cooks and kitchen novices, cookbook author and nutritionist Robin Miller takes it back to basics with great, family-friendly recipes worth making over and over again.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The other two Democratic opponents are political newcomers.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Mar. 2026
-
With 40-plus newcomers joining the roster in the offseason, coach Scott Frost wants his team to get tougher, be more disciplined and more precise.—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Contestants range from beginners to experienced builders, offering a cross-section of skill levels that reflect how cosplay develops over time.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
-
So, beginners might not get perfect results on the first try.—
Maryna Holovnova,
New Atlas,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Jordi Fernández has spent most of this season talking about the Nets’ own rookies, their growing pains, their flashes, their timelines.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
As more rookies come in, that could put Lardis’ and other players’ spots in the top six in jeopardy.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
According to accounts by the architect’s apprentices, the design came together in a matter of hours.—
Katherine McLaughlin,
Architectural Digest,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Rock stars and their equivalents in other genres often develop their craft in obscurity before being discovered; idols are apprentices, trained exhaustively by their management companies.—
Mitch Therieau,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
On Thursday, as part of the pre-graduation presentations and events, 16 recruits from 11 countries became American citizens in a naturalization ceremony.—
Betsy Badell,
NBC news,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Jaelan Phillips, Devin Lloyd and the rest of the Carolina Panthers’ new recruits will begin work at Bank of America Stadium on April 20.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Freshmen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/freshmen. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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