1
as in tinkerers
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in beginners
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 amateurs
Most American soccer fans wouldn’t hesitate in saying that the United States winning the World Cup would clearly be a much bigger shock than the group of literal amateurs upsetting the greatest ice hockey team on watch at the 1980 winter games.
—
Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
Deep passion for chess Russia has a deep and proud chess tradition, and amateurs can be seen hunched over boards on pavements and in parks at virtually all times of the year.
—CNN Money, 12 June 2026
Eventually the costs became too much for GT1, then GT2 (later called GTE, or GTLM in IMSA), and in 2024 the ACO decided to import the GT3 category, which was created back in 2005 by Stéphane Ratel as a way to make sports car racing less expensive for amateurs.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 12 June 2026
The team is planning to release additional problems over the next several weeks for amateurs and professionals alike to try their hands and their favorite models at.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 10 June 2026
Both programs provide serious photographers with advanced editing tools, but Lightroom targets amateurs who value a streamlined, cross-platform experience, while Lightroom Classic caters to professionals who prefer a familiar interface and need printing and tethered shooting capabilities.
—Michael Muchmore, PC Magazine, 2 June 2026
The introduction of this tournament helped transform football from a pure enjoyment into a competitive sport, first played by amateurs and later by professionals.
—Thomas Adam, The Conversation, 29 May 2026
Each one works against the increase in value as the pros crush the over-exuberance, as represented by fat premiums that the amateurs create.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 25 May 2026
The cast and crew comprise both amateurs and professionals.
—Pamela Brown, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2026
Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
Deep passion for chess Russia has a deep and proud chess tradition, and amateurs can be seen hunched over boards on pavements and in parks at virtually all times of the year.
—CNN Money, 12 June 2026
Eventually the costs became too much for GT1, then GT2 (later called GTE, or GTLM in IMSA), and in 2024 the ACO decided to import the GT3 category, which was created back in 2005 by Stéphane Ratel as a way to make sports car racing less expensive for amateurs.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 12 June 2026
The team is planning to release additional problems over the next several weeks for amateurs and professionals alike to try their hands and their favorite models at.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 10 June 2026
Both programs provide serious photographers with advanced editing tools, but Lightroom targets amateurs who value a streamlined, cross-platform experience, while Lightroom Classic caters to professionals who prefer a familiar interface and need printing and tethered shooting capabilities.
—Michael Muchmore, PC Magazine, 2 June 2026
The introduction of this tournament helped transform football from a pure enjoyment into a competitive sport, first played by amateurs and later by professionals.
—Thomas Adam, The Conversation, 29 May 2026
Each one works against the increase in value as the pros crush the over-exuberance, as represented by fat premiums that the amateurs create.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 25 May 2026
The cast and crew comprise both amateurs and professionals.
—Pamela Brown, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amateurs
Noun
-
The 19th-century patent system rewarded tinkerers; corporate labs scaled systematic research; wartime partnerships mobilized national resources; and venture capital democratized risk-taking.—
David H. Hsu,
Fortune,
11 May 2026
-
Unlike her earlier Fame Monster remixes, which served utilitarian club fodder to capitalize on her debut, Dawn delightfully surrendered its source material to a wise cast of pop, rap, and dance tinkerers like Ashnikko and Dorian Electra.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Make labeling your emotions a habit Sauer-Zavala tells beginners to try labeling their big emotions just once a day for a week, rather than treating it as a lifelong project.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
10 June 2026
-
This setup allows beginners to quickly get started while also offering advanced functionality for experienced developers, reports Crowdsupply.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Parents and beauty enthusiasts alike praise its ability to smooth stubborn bumps and improve skin texture.—
Cheryl Fenton,
Parents,
14 June 2026
-
Tattoo enthusiasts travel to the state capital A high school history teacher from Chico, Struyf traveled to Sacramento for his third Capitol City Classic to finish up his two-year-long endeavor of tattooing his whole body.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
A little play tent with a play campfire had been thoughtfully set up for my kids in the living room.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 June 2026
-
The 'Blink Twice' actress opened up about her thoughts on having kids.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Not prop swords for hobbyists, but real, actual swords?—
Samantha Allen,
Them.,
9 Dec. 2025
-
Breeder-educator James Loud brings yet another angle, centering on genetics literacy, breeder certification and transparent breeding practices that appeal to both hobbyists and more experienced cultivators.—
Sara Payan,
Rolling Stone,
3 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
These adventures involve skills, terrain, and exposure that are unfamiliar to all novices.—
Maya Silver,
Outside,
18 Nov. 2025
-
For seasoned cooks and kitchen novices, cookbook author and nutritionist Robin Miller takes it back to basics with great, family-friendly recipes worth making over and over again.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
12 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Amateurs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amateurs. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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