novel 1 of 2

noun

Definition of novelnext
1
as in narrative

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in novelette

Related Words

novel

2 of 2

adjective

ˈnä-vəl How to pronounce novel (audio)
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

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 novel
Noun
The loneliness of the long-distance grieving survivalist is the main preoccupation of The Dog Stars, Ridley Scott’s moody, surprisingly sensitive adaptation of Scott Heller’s 2012 novel. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026 The idea of employing microbes to transform waste carbon into something useful is far from novel. — Mike McRae 28, New Atlas, 28 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Currently, the novel method can only produce milligram-sized bits of color, and the team is investigating ways to scale the strategy. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 26 Aug. 2026 Across the globe, sports competitions and teams are constantly searching for novel ways to attract different audiences — especially young people’s attention. — Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for novel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for novel
  1. narrative
  2. novelette
  3. new
  4. fiction
  5. monograph
  6. unfamiliar
  7. anecdote
  8. pulp
Noun
  • Artemis has an obvious narrative spine because its budget has one.
    — Charlotte Kiang, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Many of these explanations proved wrong, yet commentators continue to reach for overly simple narratives to explain market moves.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Steven Tian and Stephen Henriques, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of narrative
Noun
  • Alfred Hitchcock turned one of Woolrich’s novelettes into Rear Window, for which Woolrich was paid the grand sum of $650.
    — Sam Kashner, Air Mail, 12 Apr. 2025
  • The next year, Hao Jingfang became the first Chinese woman to win a Hugo, for her novelette Folding Beijing.
    — Yi-Ling Liu, Wired, 9 Mar. 2021
Definition of novelette
Adjective
  • Now is a great time to pick up a new pair of sneakers for fall while prices are low.
    — Anna Traver, InStyle, 1 Sep. 2026
  • With the team entering a new era with a new coaching staff, Baltimore made some moves that were a bit atypical on roster cutdown day.
    — Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of new
Noun
  • Sanft argued his client’s account was pure fiction, and that investigators failed to quickly and vigorously corroborate it for a reason.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2026
  • One of the fears concerning AI in fiction filmmaking is that the medium of cinema could lose the value of the empathic connection people have with other humans.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of fiction
Noun
  • The show is accompanied by Cowin’s first full-scale monograph.
    — Leah Ollman, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • This monograph recently figured into a larger one-day conference dedicated to the work and cultural legacy of the Armenian painter organized by Ca’ Foscari University of Venice at Aula Baratto on May 25.
    — The Editors of ARTnews, ARTnews.com, 12 June 2026
Definition of monograph
Adjective
  • For bouquets, Wahlen recommends choosing one type of flower that has already been identified as non-toxic rather than an arrangement filled with unfamiliar stems and greenery, where a dangerous flower may be tucked among otherwise safe blooms.
    — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Nalewaja, who attended, said Matsui appeared unfamiliar with issues facing people living in the Sierra foothills.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of unfamiliar
Noun
  • Everyone and every place come supplied with a full quota of anecdotes and reminiscences.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
  • But, Stemler said, there isn’t much empirical data to show how pervasive this practice is, mostly just anecdotes.
    — Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of anecdote
Noun
  • When cool enough to handle, scoop pulp from rind into a food processor or blender.
    — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Swedish textile recycler Renewcell filed for bankruptcy in 2024 after struggling to ramp sales of its Circulose dissolving pulp quickly enough to support its industrial-scale facility.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of pulp

Browse Nearby Words

novas
novel
novelette
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Cite this Entry

“Novel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/novel. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on novel

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about novel

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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