NEOPHYTE Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

neophyte

noun

ˈnē-ə-ˌfīt

Definition of neophyte

as in newcomer

a person who has recently been persuaded to join a religious sect neophytes are assigned an experienced church member to guide them through their first year

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in novice

a person who is just starting out in a field of activity a neophyte in snowboarding

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 neophyte Spurs rookie Dylan Harper looked anything but a neophyte with 12 points and six rebounds, too. — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 4 June 2026 The former First Lady has some things in common right now with a Maine oyster farmer and political neophyte who’s running for Senate. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 3 June 2026 Compared with New York, San Antonio is led by neophytes. — Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 3 June 2026 Luckily for neophytes, the menu offers easy-to-understand tasting notes. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for neophyte

Recent Examples of Synonyms for neophyte

Noun

While Christen and Jude remained among the hottest brands to check out at showroom appointments, other names pinpointed by buyers included Hagelstam, Nomasei, Neous and the newcomers Ananyan and Kiana Ghavidel.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
But velvet ropes and VIP tiers can leave newcomers wondering whether the conversation is meant for them.

— Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of newcomer

Noun

To capture some of that essence, Guitar Center is trying to make its stores a place to hang out for novices and pros alike.

— Phil Wahba, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
In the latest, The Big Cats Dance Party, a high-profile case falls to a novice sleuth while the agency’s founder is away.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of novice

Noun

The Horned Frogs will need Hayward’s pass rushing expertise to harass Baylor junior quarterback DJ Lagway, a former five-star recruit that transferred in from Florida.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026
At, 6-foot-3, 175 pounds, Marshall is a four-star recruit with 16 Power Four offers, according to 247Sports.

— PJ Green October 14, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of recruit

Noun

Nine out of 10 beginner guitarists are not playing one year after picking up the instrument, so catering to those newbies meant a lot of churn, Dalporto says.

— Phil Wahba, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
Build a complete beginner kit with wax, wicks, vessels, labels, and other necessary supplies.

— Ethan Stone October 9, Idaho Statesman, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of beginner

Noun

Founding and patenting gabardine Thomas Burberry, a cloth merchant’s apprentice, established his own shop in 1856 in Basingstoke, England, then a rural town located southwest of London.

— Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Oct. 2026
For carpenters, delays and poor weather conditions can disrupt the working hours apprentices need to complete their program, causing some to quit.

— Itzel Franco, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of apprentice

Noun

Pavia, 24, wasn’t selected in the 2026 NFL Draft and was cut by the Baltimore Ravens as a rookie free agent over the summer.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Garrett Mitchell walked, rookie Cooper Pratt laid down a sacrifice bunt and light-hitting Luis Lara banged the next pitch up the middle to score Mitchell from second for the 2-1 lead.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of rookie

Noun

Meghan Sullivan, a 20-year-old junior who has been on the team since her freshman year, has had Huettl style her hair for every game for the past three years.

— Audrey Noble, Vogue, 15 Oct. 2026
The freshman, who came to USC in the spring out of Santa Margarita High, rejoined the Trojans ahead of the Penn State game while the team faced a variety of injuries to other key players on both sides of the ball.

— Sean Campbell, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of freshman

Browse Nearby Words

neophiliacs

neophyte

neophytes

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“Neophyte.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neophyte. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of neophyte

noun

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