1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

neophyte

noun

ˈnē-ə-ˌfīt How to pronounce neophyte (audio)
Definition of neophytenext
1
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

Relevance
2
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
  1. newcomer
  2. novice
  3. recruit
  4. beginner
  5. apprentice
  6. rookie
  7. freshman
Noun
  • Captain Breanna Stewart and newcomers Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese were wearing red-and-white versions of their Pumas, Nikes and Reeboks, respectively.
    — Shakeia Taylor, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Douthat is the only newcomer added to the opening credits where the correspondents introduce themselves on camera.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of newcomer
Noun
  • Despite being an expert in her craft, Godshalk communicated the principles of floral design to her students in a way that was easy for novices to digest.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Sid Vicious, six months before his debut as the Sex Pistols’ new bassist, was most assuredly a novice on the drums.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of novice
Noun
  • The former four-star recruit moved to left tackle last year and had an All-SEC season, graded as one of the best linemen in the country.
    — PJ Green September 16, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The recruit allegedly took photos and videos of several locations and was likely paid around $1,500.
    — Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of recruit
Noun
  • At a beginner’s mahjong night at a local bar, tables largely full of young professionals engaged in friendly competition over Hong Kong-style sets as Chang emceed over a microphone.
    — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Then be sure to read our roundups of the best telescope deals, along with our beginner's guide to observing the night sky with a manual telescope.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of beginner
Noun
  • Some apprentices work hard and have relevant experience, yet the craft never fully clicks for them.
    — Matthew Darienzo, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026
  • He was accepted as an apprentice at a design firm that specialized in interior decoration.
    — Hilton Als, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of apprentice
Noun
  • Entering the game with a shoulder injury designation, rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane dressed but did not play, leaving L’Jarius Sneed on the outside opposite Nohl Williams to start.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Williams, after going 5-12 as a rookie, threw for a franchise-record 3,942 yards while leading the Bears to an 11-6 record and the NFC North title.
    — Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of rookie
Noun
  • The sophomore didn’t score during his freshman season, despite leading Florida in receiving with 512 yards.
    — Noah White, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Honor, who is going into her freshman year at Yale University this fall, posted a picture of her bed next to her desk.
    — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of freshman

Browse Nearby Words

neophiliacs
neophyte
neophytes
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Neophyte.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neophyte. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on neophyte

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about neophyte

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
crayons-in-a-circle
Guess the Color Quiz Questions that use the whole box of crayons.
See All