as in novice
a person who is just starting out in a field of activity
skateboarders who are tenderfeet will inevitably fall as they learn their first moves
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tenderfoot
Smit-McPhee plays a hapless Scottish tenderfoot who teams with Fassbender's conflicted bounty hunter to track down his true love in the American West.
—
and Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 21 June 2024
The tenderfoot Americans, with six rookies, eight guys yet to reach 30, and minimal scar tissue, won three of four foursomes in the morning to get to 9-3 and two of four fourball rounds in the afternoon to reach 11-5.
—BostonGlobe.com, 25 Sep. 2021
Once upon a time, the members of a whitetail deer hunting club in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula invited a tenderfoot to their camp.
—The Editors, Field & Stream, 11 Oct. 2020
But even a tenderfoot can easily corral yeast and put it to use, because yeast is everywhere.
—Henry Fountain, New York Times, 7 May 2020
Lazaria Spearman School: Dacula High Class: 2022 Position: Forward
College: Undecided
Noteworthy: The 6-foot-2 tenderfoot averaged 17 points and 14 rebounds per game to help the Falcons to a 26-4 record.
—USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2020
But like a tenderfoot scout who confidently builds a campfire only to end up burning down the forest, Kalanick’s loose management — of his staff and himself — paved the way for a cascade of embarrassing scandals by 2014.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2019
The film stars Robert Pattinson as Samuel Alabaster, a foppishly dressed tenderfoot who shows up on the Oregon territory with miniature horse named Butterscotch, looking to hire a preacher (David Zellner) for a wedding.
—Gary Thompson, Philly.com, 27 June 2018
and Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 21 June 2024
The tenderfoot Americans, with six rookies, eight guys yet to reach 30, and minimal scar tissue, won three of four foursomes in the morning to get to 9-3 and two of four fourball rounds in the afternoon to reach 11-5.
—BostonGlobe.com, 25 Sep. 2021
Once upon a time, the members of a whitetail deer hunting club in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula invited a tenderfoot to their camp.
—The Editors, Field & Stream, 11 Oct. 2020
But even a tenderfoot can easily corral yeast and put it to use, because yeast is everywhere.
—Henry Fountain, New York Times, 7 May 2020
Lazaria Spearman School: Dacula High Class: 2022 Position: Forward
College: Undecided
Noteworthy: The 6-foot-2 tenderfoot averaged 17 points and 14 rebounds per game to help the Falcons to a 26-4 record.
—USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2020
But like a tenderfoot scout who confidently builds a campfire only to end up burning down the forest, Kalanick’s loose management — of his staff and himself — paved the way for a cascade of embarrassing scandals by 2014.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2019
The film stars Robert Pattinson as Samuel Alabaster, a foppishly dressed tenderfoot who shows up on the Oregon territory with miniature horse named Butterscotch, looking to hire a preacher (David Zellner) for a wedding.
—Gary Thompson, Philly.com, 27 June 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tenderfoot
Noun
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This recipe is super easy to follow even for novice bakers.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
2 Nov. 2025
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Fast forward 55 years, and the event has grown into the world’s largest and most anticipated road race, drawing professionals and novices alike to push their limits — and test running shoe innovations along the way.—
Tonya Blazio-Licorish,
Footwear News,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Mountaineering expedition companies describe Mount Yalung Ri, located in eastern Nepal’s Rolwaling Valley, as a peak suitable for beginners with no previous experience or for those acclimatizing for higher summits of the Himalayas, which can tower above 8,000 meters.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
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It’s considered suitable for beginners with no previous experience climbing high mountains.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Related Articles The fashion coffee table book‘s 406 pages take readers on a journey, starting at the time when Louis Vuitton left his hometown of Jura, France and ventured to Paris, becoming a trunk maker’s apprentice.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
31 Oct. 2025
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The Fire Cadet program, which is offered through the City of Milwaukee, is a two-year apprentice-style program for youth ages 17 to 19.—
Cathy Kozlowicz,
jsonline.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Trump endorsed Youngkin in his 2021 contest against Democrat Terry McAuliffe, but the Republican newcomer avoided appearing with the then-former president and steered clear of his MAGA agenda to appeal to independent and suburban voters.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Nov. 2025
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To replenish its roster, Auburn added numerous newcomers through the portal and recruiting, including transfers such as Keyshawn Hall and Keshawn Murphy, as well as freshmen like Kaden Magwood.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The former Colorado standout began his rookie NFL season as the third quarterback on the Browns' depth chart.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
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Or, will rookie receiver Matthew Golden become a bigger factor in Green Bay's offense?—
Jim Reineking,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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But the true freshman looked poised and undaunted, able to pick up a trio of fourth-down conversions with his arm and more positive yards with his legs.—
Quentin Corpuel,
Kansas City Star,
31 Oct. 2025
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Sophomores David Punch, Micah Robinson, Malick Diallo, Jace Posey and RJ Jones and redshirt freshman Ashton Simmons all opted to return to Fort Worth, giving TCU a solid foundation to build around.—
Steven Johnson
October 31,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tenderfoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenderfoot. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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