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
Relevance
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
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 amateurs
Touchdown / Call the amateurs and cut ’em from the team.
—
Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 29 Aug. 2025
On the other hand, many amateurs lose balls with alarming regularity, especially in places like Florida with lots of water hazards, and if those balls cost five to six bucks a pop, which the top models do, that can add up to more than the 19th hole bar tab.
—Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Who balk at the big bucks these former amateurs are making.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 21 Aug. 2025
Prior to the open era of tennis - a period beginning in 1968 when amateurs and pros were allowed to compete alongside one another for the first time - Norwegian-American player Molla Bjurstedt Mallory set a record as the oldest female winner in the singles division in 1926.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 14 Aug. 2025
In recent years, it's become quite common for even amateurs to shed light on events in a remote corner of the world by simply calling up images from any of a dozen online sources.
—David Szondy
august 10, New Atlas, 10 Aug. 2025
That kind of supposition is for amateurs.
—Sherry Kuehl, Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2025
The annual Labor Day tradition in Venice Beach is billed as the greatest outdoor bodybuilding show on Earth and is open to amateurs only.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
Despite its size, Oscar 1 included an antenna, batteries, and a transmitter and engaged the imagination of radio amateurs around the world.
—IEEE Spectrum, 9 Nov. 2018
Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 29 Aug. 2025
On the other hand, many amateurs lose balls with alarming regularity, especially in places like Florida with lots of water hazards, and if those balls cost five to six bucks a pop, which the top models do, that can add up to more than the 19th hole bar tab.
—Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Who balk at the big bucks these former amateurs are making.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 21 Aug. 2025
Prior to the open era of tennis - a period beginning in 1968 when amateurs and pros were allowed to compete alongside one another for the first time - Norwegian-American player Molla Bjurstedt Mallory set a record as the oldest female winner in the singles division in 1926.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 14 Aug. 2025
In recent years, it's become quite common for even amateurs to shed light on events in a remote corner of the world by simply calling up images from any of a dozen online sources.
—David Szondy
august 10, New Atlas, 10 Aug. 2025
That kind of supposition is for amateurs.
—Sherry Kuehl, Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2025
The annual Labor Day tradition in Venice Beach is billed as the greatest outdoor bodybuilding show on Earth and is open to amateurs only.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
Despite its size, Oscar 1 included an antenna, batteries, and a transmitter and engaged the imagination of radio amateurs around the world.
—IEEE Spectrum, 9 Nov. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amateurs
Noun
-
At $3,499, it is clearly not priced for small-scale tinkerers.—
Dave Altavilla,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
-
The New Yorker was inventing its voice, and Flanner was in the clique of tinkerers.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
10 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Admire the sparkling water and salt marshes on courses designed by top architects for everyone from beginners to avid enthusiasts.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Resembling a minnow near the surface of the water, these rental boats come with easy instructions for beginners who are unfamiliar with how to operate the canal’s lock system along the way.—
Jason Mastrodonato,
Mercury News,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
It is comprised of meteorologists, researchers, storm chasers, the media and weather enthusiasts from around the world.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Some enthusiasts are taking the trend a step further by painting, customizing, or even crafting their own butter dishes, turning a simple kitchen staple into a personal work of art.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Both Kardashian and Thompson are proud parents on social media, sharing posts to celebrate all of their kids' life milestones.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The jury saw extensive emails between Donna and Wendi that showed how Donna pushed Wendi to pursue relocation to South Florida at any cost, including offering her ex-husband $1 million and taunting him with the possibility of converting their kids from Judaism to Catholicism.—
Lauren del Valle,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Even hobbyists are investing in online classes for music, photography, or language learning.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
This printer is designed for enthusiasts who want to experiment with multicolor projects, hobbyists who want a reliable machine that keeps up with complex designs, or professionals looking for affordable prototyping tools.—
Shubham Yewale,
PC Magazine,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Instructors are on hand to teach novices.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
7 Sep. 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,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Amateurs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amateurs. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share