rookie

noun

ˈru̇-kē How to pronounce rookie (audio)
Definition of rookienext
as in novice
a person who is just starting out in a field of activity although a star in his old sport of basketball, he was still just a rookie as far as baseball was concerned

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 rookie Get the rookies up to speed on offense The defense has had no choice but to lean on young talent. — Sam McDowell 12, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026 Malik Mustapha recovered another fumble to set up a short touchdown drive, while Sebastian Valdez and rookie Jaden Dugger both delivered their first career sacks. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026 Tight end Greg Dulcich played 49 offensive snaps and rookie Will Kacmarek 25 — a reversal of the previous week, when Kacmarek played slightly more. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026 Miami's rookie class is impressive, including Kadyn Proctor, Chris Johnson, Jacob Rodriguez, Caleb Douglas, and Chris Bell. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rookie
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rookie
  1. novice
  2. beginner
  3. freshman
  4. newcomer
  5. apprentice
Noun
  • To capture some of that essence, Guitar Center is trying to make its stores a place to hang out for novices and pros alike.
    — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
  • In the latest, The Big Cats Dance Party, a high-profile case falls to a novice sleuth while the agency’s founder is away.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of novice
Noun
  • Nine out of 10 beginner guitarists are not playing one year after picking up the instrument, so catering to those newbies meant a lot of churn, Dalporto says.
    — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Build a complete beginner kit with wax, wicks, vessels, labels, and other necessary supplies.
    — Ethan Stone October 9, Idaho Statesman, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of beginner
Noun
  • How about subsidizing our next freshman class and bringing the cost down to $50K?
    — Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Keaton Wagler, whose sensational freshman season propelled Illinois to its first Final Four in 21 years, is preparing for the NBA season with the Los Angeles Clippers.
    — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of freshman
Noun
  • While Christen and Jude remained among the hottest brands to check out at showroom appointments, other names pinpointed by buyers included Hagelstam, Nomasei, Neous and the newcomers Ananyan and Kiana Ghavidel.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • But velvet ropes and VIP tiers can leave newcomers wondering whether the conversation is meant for them.
    — Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of newcomer
Noun
  • Founding and patenting gabardine Thomas Burberry, a cloth merchant’s apprentice, established his own shop in 1856 in Basingstoke, England, then a rural town located southwest of London.
    — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Oct. 2026
  • For carpenters, delays and poor weather conditions can disrupt the working hours apprentices need to complete their program, causing some to quit.
    — Itzel Franco, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of apprentice

Browse Nearby Words

rooked
rookie
rookies
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Cite this Entry

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

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