virginal

adjective

ˈvər-jə-nᵊl How to pronounce virginal (audio)
Definition of virginalnext
1
as in pristine
being in an original and unused or unspoiled state one of the state's few remaining tracts of virginal prairie

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unmarried
never having had sexual relations a virginal girl who would not permit any liberties to be taken with her body

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in pure
free from any trace of the coarse or indecent the romance between the young boy and girl is portrayed with virginal innocence that is touching in this day and age

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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 virginal 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 Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel is a slow read with an out-of-time atmosphere, really one of the most virginal and repressed romance stories of all time. — Anna Gaca, Pitchfork, 20 Feb. 2026 Our idols were allowed to either be good girls—militantly wholesome and seemingly virginal—or train wrecks, unmoored and wild, and thus subjected to a litany of bullying and ridicule for their actions. — Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 17 Feb. 2026 Someone with the virginal purity of a political outsider and the intrinsic capability of an insider who’s spent decades cutting deals and keeping the government wheels spinning. — Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for virginal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for virginal
  1. pristine
  2. unmarried
  3. pure
  4. fresh
  5. virgin
  6. immaculate
  7. maiden
  8. chaste
Adjective
  • Nestled at the northeast end of a seven-mile-long deep water fjord, guests have 600 acres of pristine nature to explore.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Smiling serenely, the author looks immaculately put-together, including her matte red lips, which are even more striking contrasted against her pristine white suit.
    — Fawnia Soo Hoo, Allure, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of pristine
Adjective
  • Lizzie’s status as an unmarried 32-year-old woman at the time of Andrew and Abby’s deaths was highly unusual, however, leading some historians to speculate about her sexuality, which would not have been openly discussed in the Victorian era.
    — Emma Banks, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026
  • In a reversal, a California regulator says unmarried drivers should not pay more for auto insurance.
    — Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of unmarried
Adjective
  • Kerry’s pure love for her son despite his precarious origins is a meaningful emotional fulcrum.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Individually, the songs on Beat were largely recognizable in the broader indie rock world—post-rock and shoegaze live alongside torchy trip-hop and pure ambient.
    — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of pure
Adjective
  • But fresh inflation data expected next week will factor into the central bank’s decision.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The stark contrast is that the arguments are new; the drama is fresh.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of fresh
Adjective
  • Compared with other recycling initiatives, Weavabel said the loop is fully integrated across warehouses, factories and distribution centers, giving brands a scalable path to extend the life of their packaging and reduce reliance on virgin plastic.
    — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Corto Olive, a leader in California extra virgin olive oil production, has long been a favorite of chefs and home cooks alike.
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of virgin
Adjective
  • His homemaker mother Leonor (a superb Maude Sandham) and his 17-year-old sister Ilse (Karoline Watson) complete the immaculate family portrait, but there’s unrest there too.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Please enjoy every pitch of Payton Tolle's immaculate inning.
    — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of immaculate
Adjective
  • The first points at the new Ryan Field went to — fittingly enough — the Wildcats when Jackson Kleather booted a 50-yarder between the uprights to cap off Northwestern's maiden drive in their new home.
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The maiden flight was conducted by Captain and Test Pilot Bernardo Saez-Benito and First Officer and Experimental Test Pilot Sylvain Guiraud.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of maiden
Adjective
  • Then there was the rather chaste kiss on Evans’s show late last year.
    — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 June 2026
  • Deadhead your chaste tree in late winter to promote flowering in the spring and summer months.
    — Steve Bender, Southern Living, 19 May 2026
Definition of chaste

Browse Nearby Words

virgin
virginal
virginity
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Cite this Entry

“Virginal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virginal. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on virginal

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about virginal

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