NEW Synonyms: 211 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

new 1 of 2

adjective

ˈnü

Definition of new

as in novel

not known or experienced before Spanish was a new course of study for her advances in optical technology allow us to observe new planets

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in fresh

recently made and never used before that unique scent that comes with a new car

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in refreshed

made or become fresh in spirits or vigor a little rest made him a new man after the exhausting basketball game

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in modern

being or involving the latest methods, concepts, information, or styles new techniques in plastic surgery

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in alternative

taking the place of one that came before after my bike was stolen, my scooter became my new mode of transportation

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

new

2 of 2

adverb

as in newly

not long ago new-mown grass

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

According to the candidate, a new constitution would be drafted by a Congress dominated by a far-right majority. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026 Not every state that could have drawn new lines post-Callais did so, however. — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026 The third season of AMC+’s Mayfair Witches series will premiere this December with a new, or at least expanded, title. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026 From a new Asian grocery store in south Sacramento to a federal investigation at UC Davis, this week brought developments that affect shoppers, students, workers and wildlife across the region. — Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for new

Recent Examples of Synonyms for new

Adjective

When Anderson was first diagnosed in the late 1990s, the hepatitis C virus was still relatively novel.

— Philip A. Chan, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
Both clubs sit on hills surrounded by pine trees, offering a cool escape from the city and a novel way to immerse yourself in something that has become a fixture of 2026 Medellín.

— Nikkita Nair, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of novel

Adjective

Up the street and over a few blocks is Salud Taqueria, from Jesús Méndez and Christina Tellez, which uses fresh-ground masa as a base for its Mexican menu.

— Leslie Pariseau, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
According to Reuters, JPMorgan analysts read the move as an acceleration of barrels already promised, not a fresh intervention.

— Heather Occhino, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of fresh

Adjective

Today, the hotel remains a grand dame of Milan, offering a perfect mix of old-world luxury with modern amenities, all delivered through impeccable hospitality.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
All four getting in is probably impossible; even three Best Picture nominations for a single studio is extremely rare in the modern era.

— Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of modern

Adjective

Industry analysts observe that if market participants believed crude transport could permanently rely on rerouting, alternative ports, and emergency reserve releases, oil prices should have pulled back meaningfully.

— , CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
And when the healthcare system is flawed to its core and disinformation about alternative treatments spreads rapidly online?

— Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of alternative

Adverb

One of the newly unemployed is Olivia Siffre (Rachel Keller), a fledgling lawyer who recently moved to California to get away from her hovering, hyper-religious parents.

— Noel Murray, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
And more people are entering the system than leaving it, delaying help for newly homeless families.

— Nicole Santa Cruz, ProPublica, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of newly

Adjective

Korean writer-director Han Jun-hee talked strategies for getting audiences to respond to risky or unfamiliar material in a masterclass at Netflix’s Creative Asia day at Busan International Film Festival.

— Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026
Feeling her way through unfamiliar worlds has been something of a lifelong predicament and opportunity for Choi.

— Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of unfamiliar

Adjective

Between the 2025 and 2026 seasons, the Roos installed a brand-new video board — just in time to host a watch party for what became a legendary Algeria-Austria World Cup match.

— Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2026
Purchasing brand-new wardrobes every few months quickly becomes financially unsustainable for many shoppers.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of brand-new

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“New.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/new. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of new

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