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 This addition comes a day after Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley revealed undrafted rookie defensive tackle Rene Konga will miss the season with an undisclosed injury. — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026 No changes for the top offensive line, where Morgan Moses remains entrenched at right tackle and first-round rookie Caleb Lomu is taking the majority of his snaps as the backup right tackle. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 5 Aug. 2026 The Bucs also are high on rookie Ted Hurst, the 6-foot-4, 206-pound rookie from Georgia State who is a true X receiver like Evans. — Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026 The Challenge rookie Reilly Smedley was eliminated in episode 2 of season 42. — Emma Banks, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rookie
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rookie
  1. novice
  2. beginner
  3. freshman
  4. newcomer
  5. apprentice
Noun
  • The best rock tumbler for beginners is one that comes as a complete kit, including the rocks, so the novice has the best chance of being successful on the first try.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • While El-Sayed was ahead in many polls over Stevens, including a recent survey conducted by Emerson College, the Democratic novice is trailing in some polling against Rogers, which the GOP nominee sees as advantageous.
    — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of novice
Noun
  • Founder Megan Masters fell in love with mahjong in 2023, but found the sets expensive and overwhelming for beginners.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Falls are another injury risk beginners underestimate, according to Ryan Glatt, CPT, NBC-HWC, a senior brain health coach at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, California.
    — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of beginner
Noun
  • Parson’s son Tucker passed for 2,698 yards and 34 touchdowns as a Rockmart freshman last season.
    — Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • This innovative approach aims to ease the transition to college life, allowing freshmen to explore diverse subjects without the pressure of grades impacting their GPA or external transcripts.
    — Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of freshman
Noun
  • Tyler Kinley, Víctor Mederos, Danny Young, Dylan Lee and newcomer Brent Suter, respectively, combined to pitch the final six innings as the Braves ran their winning streak to eight straight and nine in a row at home.
    — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • As share prices have soared, newcomers like Ke are pouring in.
    — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of newcomer
Noun
  • City Colleges recently launched Chicago Moonshot, an apprenticeship initiative associated with the Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park, where the district has committed to graduating hundreds of IT apprentices over the next five years.
    — Shalin Jyotishi, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The apprentices worked in an assembly line fashion, taking each computer out of the box and plugging it into a charging station.
    — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 5 Aug. 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 11 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of rookie for Spanish Speakers

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