1
as in immature
lacking in adult experience or maturity
inexperienced teenagers who, naturally, thought they knew everything
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in amateur
lacking or showing a lack of expert skill
an inexperienced carpenter had obviously built the rough-hewn cabin
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of inexperienced
Jokic didn’t overtake Jamal Murray as Denver’s leading scorer until their seventh game of the season, after a 33-point performance Wednesday against a Miami Heat frontcourt that was woefully undersized and inexperienced the instant Bam Adebayo exited with a foot injury.
—
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025
Henderson has struggled in that role as a rookie, and Jennings is inexperienced at the pro level.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
As green and inexperienced as the men sent to Vietnam to fight, Frankie is overwhelmed by the chaos and destruction of war.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Nov. 2025
Also, strong rip currents and hazardous swimming conditions for inexperienced swimmers will be present.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 6 Nov. 2025
Last summer, following Mamdani’s stunning primary victory, many friends and colleagues were anxious that this Democratic candidate was too liberal, too anti-business, too inexperienced for the global stage, and simply too young.
—Sally Susman, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
Senior defensive tackle Braxton Fely’s radar is already up at the chance of facing another inexperienced QB.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 30 Oct. 2025
In doing so, Sonny mentors a talented but inexperienced rookie named Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris) and brings an unconventional style of racing to the track.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
But let’s face it, the Red Wings have looked a bit inexperienced at times so far, too.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025
Henderson has struggled in that role as a rookie, and Jennings is inexperienced at the pro level.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
As green and inexperienced as the men sent to Vietnam to fight, Frankie is overwhelmed by the chaos and destruction of war.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Nov. 2025
Also, strong rip currents and hazardous swimming conditions for inexperienced swimmers will be present.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 6 Nov. 2025
Last summer, following Mamdani’s stunning primary victory, many friends and colleagues were anxious that this Democratic candidate was too liberal, too anti-business, too inexperienced for the global stage, and simply too young.
—Sally Susman, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
Senior defensive tackle Braxton Fely’s radar is already up at the chance of facing another inexperienced QB.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 30 Oct. 2025
In doing so, Sonny mentors a talented but inexperienced rookie named Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris) and brings an unconventional style of racing to the track.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
But let’s face it, the Red Wings have looked a bit inexperienced at times so far, too.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inexperienced
Adjective
-
Its audience, once immature teenagers, is now made up of immature middle-aged people — plus a whole lot of new immature teenagers.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The bacterial illness, called infant botulism, occurs when babies ingest spores of the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, which can grow in their immature digestive systems and produce toxin.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
15 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Webster learned that the FBI, media organizations, and amateur internet sleuths were using facial-recognition software to identify those who’d stormed the Capitol.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
-
But to unmask the killer in a mansion filled with ticking clocks and suspects, amateur detective Eileen must first get round discouragement from Lady Caterham, played by Helena Bonham Carter, and Sherlock star Martin Freeman as superintendent Battle.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced major changes to its childhood and adolescent immunization schedule, an age-by-age guide for health care providers on when to vaccinate children to protect them from preventable diseases.—
Liz Regalia,
Parents,
8 Jan. 2026
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The show channels a certain energetic, zany sense of humor viewers could recognize from their own adolescent friendships and antics, culminating in a five-season run and a 2021–2023 revival on Paramount+.—
Will Harris,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Both the barn owl and the center’s 14-year-old eastern screech owl were rescued as young animals.—
Beth Lipoff,
Kansas City Star,
12 Jan. 2026
-
That is a recipe for political disruption that defies classic lines between Republicans and Democrats and between conservatives and liberals − particularly among younger voters who have less history with and allegiance to either party.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inexperienced.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inexperienced. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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