as in pure
free from any trace of the coarse or indecent
a schoolteacher who dresses with almost vestal modesty while on the job
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Recent Examples of vestal
These vestal get-ups are, in fact, the latest in a long line of subversive pop culture interpretations of the lives (and loves) of nuns.
—
Leah Dolan, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
There were papal cloaks styled as trench coats, and vestal robes turned into coveralls, but with a solemn finish that showed respect for both the clothes and the creative congregation that wants to wear them.
—Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Sep. 2022
Souza sets out to reacquaint us with that vanished world, where norms obtained and men were men and words had meaning—where the sun rose on the shrines of our ancestors and six virgins ceaselessly guarded the vestal flame.
—Katy Waldman, Slate Magazine, 3 Aug. 2017
Leah Dolan, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
There were papal cloaks styled as trench coats, and vestal robes turned into coveralls, but with a solemn finish that showed respect for both the clothes and the creative congregation that wants to wear them.
—Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Sep. 2022
Souza sets out to reacquaint us with that vanished world, where norms obtained and men were men and words had meaning—where the sun rose on the shrines of our ancestors and six virgins ceaselessly guarded the vestal flame.
—Katy Waldman, Slate Magazine, 3 Aug. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vestal
Adjective
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Beyond that, he’s motivated by pure self-interest.—
Cressida Leyshon,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
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The Jets are in need of talent up and down the roster and getting possibly the best pure pass rusher in the class is a good place to start.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The songwriting is so chaste and disembodied that an Old Hollywood censor would have no problem greenlighting it.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
20 Apr. 2026
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Rue’s comparatively chaste behavior this season — including in scenes with high school love Jules (the always magnetic Hunter Schafer) — feels like a concession to Zendaya’s huge star power and public image.—
Carla Meyer,
San Francisco Chronicle,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Men begetting men is the story, a kind of immaculate cultural reproduction.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
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My mom [had] immaculate music taste and [played] me all the greats.—
Adelle Platon,
VIBE.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Off the coast of Rhode IslandAP — Offshore wind turbines roughly three times the height of the Statue of Liberty were spinning far off the coast of Rhode Island on Thursday, sending clean electricity to the region.—
Jennifer McDermott,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
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The kitchen and dining areas are clean and minimal, anchored by stone and warm wood, while the rest of the interiors stick to a neutral palette.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vestal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vestal. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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