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Definition of newnext
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new

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adverb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective new differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of new are fresh, novel, and original. While all these words mean "having recently come into existence or use," 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 would fresh be a good substitute for new?

While the synonyms fresh and new are close in meaning, fresh applies to what has not lost its qualities of newness such as liveliness, energy, brightness.

a fresh start

When might novel be a better fit than new?

The words novel and new are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, novel applies to what is not only new but strange or unprecedented.

a novel approach to the problem

When is it sensible to use original instead of new?

In some situations, the words original and new are roughly equivalent. 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 new
Adjective
While some hotels offer a rich backstory and entrancing interiors, others are brand new to the hospitality scene. Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026 The dogs who sniffed became measurably more optimistic and were quicker to approach new and uncertain situations. Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026 Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness is now streaming on HBO, with new episodes debuting Fridays. Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026 Mask ban for law enforcement officers, criminal records sealing and tenant protections are among a host of new measures taking effect. Liam Bowman, Washington Post, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for new
Recent Examples of Synonyms for new
Adjective
  • And in a novel twist, there will be a ball drop in New York City’s Times Square at midnight to usher in the July Fourth holiday with much the same revelry that is typically reserved for New Year’s Eve.
    Steven Sloan, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • Fast, generalized defenses reduce exposure early, while slower, specialized mechanisms deliver precision when the threat is novel, persistent or evasive.
    Abhik Biswas, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Adjective
  • The sauce painted over the surface is thick like puree, with a vibrant, all encompassing, fresh tomato flavor.
    Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • The Biscoff cookie crust and fresh melon filling in this pie require absolutely no baking or cooking.
    Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 5 July 2026
Adjective
  • Customers will also notice a refreshed visual identity.
    Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 15 June 2026
  • So the Pep Guardiola era is over, with a domestic double in the bag and a season that suggests a refreshed Manchester City are on the right lines.
    Sam Lee, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Adjective
  • In a statement, an AT&T spokesperson said modern alternatives to copper hold up better during disasters and said landline service wouldn’t be discontinued until at least June 1, 2027.
    Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026
  • The asymmetrical silhouette is also fresh and modern, and Quince's supple Italian nappa leather looks far more expensive than its price.
    Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Adjective
  • The executives who absorbed the Freakonomics ethos learned to separate correlation from causation and to entertain alternative explanations before settling on the most convenient one.
    Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • Demand for alternative currencies, including the Singapore dollar, South Korean won and South African rand, is also growing.
    Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
Adverb
  • Long at odds with the Vatican, the order delivered by the pope meant excommunication for the newly consecrated, any SSPX priest and any person who formally adheres to the society.
    Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 6 July 2026
  • At a couture show, where even the sunglasses can look newly unwrapped, the familiar pair stood out for its utility.
    Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 6 July 2026
Adjective
  • Staff weathering the storm The Cubs are more than halfway through the season and playing around a 90-win pace, yet their clubhouse often looks like a scene out of spring training, with new names, unfamiliar faces, and players coming and going.
    Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 1 July 2026
  • Fredericson urges new ruckers to warm up before each session, hydrate well and tell someone the route when heading into unfamiliar areas.
    Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • For a brand-new wellness experience this summer, athletic apparel brand Alo has made its French Riviera debut with its first-ever French boutique, open now at 45 Rue Gambetta.
    Karli Poliziani, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 July 2026
  • But the star of the evening was a brand-new drone show accompanying the fireworks, with 500 colorful drones lighting up in intricate formations.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“New.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/new. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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