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
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 amateurs approached questions with an open mind, were less sure of their initial conclusions, and considered a wider range of evidence before committing to an answer.
—Bryce Hoffman, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
The cast and crew comprise both amateurs and professionals.
—Pamela Brown, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2026
YouTube provided the same possibilities for video sharing, creating a giant library of video content from amateurs, ranging from highly produced and edited amateur movies to recordings of users simply talking into the camera.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
Neither amateurs nor studio photographers operated in exclusively Chinese ethnic spaces.
—H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 17 Apr. 2026
Given these circumstances, most of the music written for mandolin (eighty-five volumes were published in Paris between 1761 and 1783) was intended for amateurs, often women.
—Tim Parks, New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2026
Pressley became a performance chef after shedding 200lbs himself and entering a cooking competition show for amateurs, judged by one of his idols, Gordon Ramsay.
—Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
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 amateurs approached questions with an open mind, were less sure of their initial conclusions, and considered a wider range of evidence before committing to an answer.
—Bryce Hoffman, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
The cast and crew comprise both amateurs and professionals.
—Pamela Brown, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2026
YouTube provided the same possibilities for video sharing, creating a giant library of video content from amateurs, ranging from highly produced and edited amateur movies to recordings of users simply talking into the camera.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
Neither amateurs nor studio photographers operated in exclusively Chinese ethnic spaces.
—H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 17 Apr. 2026
Given these circumstances, most of the music written for mandolin (eighty-five volumes were published in Paris between 1761 and 1783) was intended for amateurs, often women.
—Tim Parks, New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2026
Pressley became a performance chef after shedding 200lbs himself and entering a cooking competition show for amateurs, judged by one of his idols, Gordon Ramsay.
—Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 10 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
-
Zone 2 is still well-suited for beginners, older adults, and injury recovery.—
Allison Palmer
June 2,
Charlotte Observer,
2 June 2026
-
Nakamoto cautions against beginners trying peel-and-stick wallpaper and flooring.—
Sarah Everett,
The Spruce,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Nature enthusiasts have long sought out the 198 acres of parkland area for its hiking and equestrian trails, seasonal streams, native plants, and wildlife.—
Joy Benedict,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
-
Nevertheless, the site continues to attract history enthusiasts, according to Kadaster.—
Susmita Baral,
Travel + Leisure,
4 June 2026
Noun
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School kids arrived on field trips and groups lined up for exhibitions, taking the escalators up past the abstract artist Julie Mehretu’s vibrant, 83-foot-tall vertical window.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
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The solution may involve options that aren’t their first choice, like a day or two in daycare per week, but are still healthy for the kids.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Denver Post,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Karpman is an evangelist for the sport as being one that amateur hobbyists can grow with over time.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
28 May 2026
-
Two hobbyists recently uncovered one of the largest Viking coin hoards ever found — fittingly, in a Nordic country.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
To make the process even easier for novices, the M2 leverages AI to detect the type of materials inserted and automatically adjust the settings for cutting, engraving, or just scoring to make thinner materials easier to flex and fold.—
Andrew Liszewski,
The Verge,
27 May 2026
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In 2025, multiple AI developers imposed additional safeguards after internal testing revealed models could meaningfully aid novices in biological weapons development.—
Jordan Henry,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Amateurs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amateurs. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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