1
2
as in pristine
being in an original and unused or unspoiled state
the state's only remaining virgin forest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in pure
free from any trace of the coarse or indecent
his photographs of nudes have such a virgin purity about them that only a prude would find them objectionable
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in uninhabited
existing without human habitation or cultivation
a vast expanse of virgin territory
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in maiden
coming before all others in time or order
the political analyst's virgin effort at a cloak-and-dagger thriller
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in novice
a person who is just starting out in a field of activity
a virgin in the world of comedy clubs, he's still learning to deal with hecklers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 virgin
Amanda Le, InStyle, 24 May 2026
The crispy potato chips are cooked in 100% extra virgin olive oil and finished with flaky sea salt for the ultimate snack.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 18 May 2026
Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 20 May 2026
The hilltop structures were originally built as Catholic shrines dedicated to the virgins they're named after, but were turned into military fortresses in the early 1800s—they have since been rehabilitated for tourism.
—Christin Parcerisa Vigueras, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for virgin
Adjective
With the approach working best on virgin hair, the goal isn’t high contrast, but rather enhancing the natural tone without traditional lightener.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 24 May 2026
The crispy potato chips are cooked in 100% extra virgin olive oil and finished with flaky sea salt for the ultimate snack.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 18 May 2026
Noun
Virgin with Codex is your usual Flemish virgin—a loose copy of a 16th-century painting by an anonymous artist in the Courtauld Gallery’s collection.
—Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 20 May 2026
The hilltop structures were originally built as Catholic shrines dedicated to the virgins they're named after, but were turned into military fortresses in the early 1800s—they have since been rehabilitated for tourism.
—Christin Parcerisa Vigueras, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for virgin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virgin
Adjective
-
Brides were expected, in most cultures at various points in history, to be virginal, pure and dedicated to their husbands.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
23 May 2026
-
Each statue the perfect epitome of silent, mothering, virginal womanhood that Ireland had come to worship.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
Weeds had overrun our once pristine garden beds.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
14 June 2026
-
Certified in 2007 as the world’s first Dark Sky Park, this remote Utah monument pairs pristine skies with natural stone arches that make striking foregrounds for night photography.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Adjective
-
The signature smart bed lifts at the head so guests can prop up and watch television, a feature born of pure necessity.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
-
At its purest level, football’s appeal lies in its universality.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
13 June 2026
Adjective
-
China deployed ships to guard the uninhabited Scarborough in 2012, after weeks of a tense standoff with Philippine ships, prompting Manila to bring its disputes with Beijing to international arbitration, which the Philippines largely won.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 June 2026
-
Homeownership feels increasingly out of reach for many Americans, but not for this group of creatures, which slithered into an uninhabited home in Arkansas, much to the chagrin of the realtor trying to sell it.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
5 June 2026
Adjective
-
Pyka said DropShip completed its maiden flight just six months after the program launched.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
11 June 2026
-
Bangladesh, which won the first game by 86 runs on the DLS Method, is targeting a maiden ODI series win over Australia.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson occupies one of the most powerful positions in state government and faces an election from a complete novice.—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
10 June 2026
-
The veteran politician Becerra received nearly 28% of the vote, and the political novice and former Fox News contributor Hilton received 25%, according to the AP.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Adjective
-
Women can bear arms, although unmarried ones traditionally display them on a diamond (known as a lozenge) or oval shape, rather than a shield.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
9 June 2026
-
Meg, an 11-year-old orphan living at the Lafayette County Orphan Asylum; Birdie, an unmarried woman seeking help from her sister; and Charlie, a woman on the run from her past.—
Angelique Brenes,
PEOPLE,
6 June 2026
Adjective
-
Every small step toward ensuring our fellow neighbors have access to fresh, nutritious food helps to build a healthier, more vibrant community.—
Michael Farver,
Sun Sentinel,
14 June 2026
-
Ferrari opted for a three-stop race to give Hamilton fresher tires on a track that is known to be hard on rubber, especially with track temperatures at 50 Celsius (122 F).—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Virgin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virgin. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
