1
as in inexperienced
being such only for recreation
an amateur cabinetmaker, he derives immense satisfaction from finely crafting his own furniture
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in amateurish
lacking or showing a lack of expert skill
in every room there were amateur watercolors, apparently the work of the innkeeper's wife
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in tinkerer
a person who regularly or occasionally engages in an activity as a pastime rather than as a profession
an amateur photographer who has won a number of photo contests
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in beginner
a person who lacks experience and competence in an art or science
a homemade doghouse that looked like it was built by an amateur who hadn't mastered basic carpentry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of amateur
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
Now add to that an extensive training block for New York, notoriously one of the most grueling marathons for professional and amateur runners alike.
—Micki Fahner, NBC news, 1 Nov. 2025
Mike Stunson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2025
The dramatization of one of the darkest chapters in American crime history has drawn plaudits for sidestepping easy sensationalism about the Chicago contractor and amateur clown who murdered 33 boys in the 1970s, burying them in a crawl space beneath his house.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for amateur
Adjective
Frankie Piliere, who has been the team’s director of amateur scouting the past two years, now holds the title of vice president of amateur forecasting and player evaluation initiatives.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
Now add to that an extensive training block for New York, notoriously one of the most grueling marathons for professional and amateur runners alike.
—Micki Fahner, NBC news, 1 Nov. 2025
Noun
According to his obituary, George Ramos began boxing as an amateur at 11.
—Mike Stunson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2025
The dramatization of one of the darkest chapters in American crime history has drawn plaudits for sidestepping easy sensationalism about the Chicago contractor and amateur clown who murdered 33 boys in the 1970s, burying them in a crawl space beneath his house.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for amateur
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amateur
Adjective
-
Jokic didn’t overtake Jamal Murray as Denver’s leading scorer until their seventh game of the season, after a 33-point performance Wednesday against a Miami Heat frontcourt that was woefully undersized and inexperienced the instant Bam Adebayo exited with a foot injury.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Henderson has struggled in that role as a rookie, and Jennings is inexperienced at the pro level.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The Ringbrothers Kingpin was unveiled at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show (SEMA) in Las Vegas, which is a haven for aftermarket wizards, tuners, and auto tinkerers of all stripes.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
5 Nov. 2025
-
How would the tinkerer-in-chief Guardiola galaxy-brain his way around this clash of styles?—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
My Setup My setup cost around $500 and consisted of a basic beginner's tripod, a Canon EOS Rebel T3i and two Canon lenses.—
Harry Bennett,
Space.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Cozyverse was written with omegaverse beginners in mind, giving readers an easy entry point to our favorite genre, while also crafting stories that would be fresh and exciting to long-time omegaverse fans.—
Emilia Emerson,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Again, avocational people being kind of ahead of the archaeological profession.—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Feb. 2024
-
The Club’s motto, ‘Weaving spiders, come not here,’ conveys the Club’s character and purpose as a social, avocational organization.—
Wire Services,
Dallas News,
7 Apr. 2023
Noun
-
For the hobbyist, cooking classes for two, or a candle or perfume making workshop are options.—
Kirby Adams,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Their disappearance has captivated researchers for decades and long fascinatedAshmore, a hobbyist who got hooked by a theory that the legendary pilot ended up on the island’s shores.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
For seasoned cooks and kitchen novices, cookbook author and nutritionist Robin Miller takes it back to the basics with great, family-friendly recipes worth making over and over again.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Both veteran and novice skiers were on our trip, guided by the father-son team at Spor Guiding, and appeared to be having the times of their lives.—
Susan B. Barnes,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
So far, the reviews of nonprofessional watchers are mixed but tend to be far kinder.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Mateus’s approach to the declamation of text by nonprofessional actors finds its roots in movies by Jean-Marie Straub and Danièle Huillet, while her mythic, loamy exploration of the lives of the poor through history follows in the footsteps of the Portuguese director Pedro Costa.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The driveway was already full of other cars arriving and various parents and kids taking photos like crazy and squealing.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
-
They were married in 1968, with Miguel Bezos adopting her young son, and had two more kids, Christina and Mark.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Amateur.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amateur. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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