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

Relevance

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

In other news, the fair’s popular Premise sector, which focuses on unusual curatorial displays that hope to broaden our understanding of art history, is expanding this year to include 12 participating galleries, nine of them being newcomers.

— Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 21 Sep. 2026
The proposal would also require some parents of foreign students to attend Italian language classes, part of Meloni’s push to make newcomers embrace national culture, rules and gender norms.

— Maria Grazia Murru, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of newcomer

Noun

To a novice taster, sipping out of a plastic Mets carafe, the wine smelled like dry grass and very ripe blackberries.

— Arthur Holland Michel, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
The sizable number of offerings in every box can help bean novices get acquainted with new products and strengthen their bond with favorites.

— Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of novice

Noun

Competitive compensation helps Broward recruit and retain the talented teachers and education professionals our children deserve.

— Roberto Fernandez III, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
The best was Purdue recruit Jackie Ryder, who led New Trier to a 45-13 win over the Huskies in Week 1.

— Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of recruit

Noun

Flynn said an apprentice level technician can take home $40,000 to $60,000, with experienced electricians commanding north of $100,000.

— Kevin Williams, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2026
Beyond laboratory research, US officials intend to use the equipment as a training ground for apprentices and university recruits, helping train the next generation of weapons-control specialists.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of apprentice

Noun

Wagler is one of the team’s promising young players, alongside fellow rookie Baba Miller, Kobe Sanders and the rehabbing Jordan Miller and Yanic Konan Niederhauser.

— Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
Schaefer won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s best rookie last season.

— Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of rookie

Noun

Exactly 39 years after the debut of the iconic sitcom, a new sequel series hit Netflix on Thursday, blending a bunch of the beloved returning characters with a fresh class of freshmen.

— Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2026
Standout freshman wide receiver Trent Mosley, who racked up 13 catches, 255 yards, four receiving touchdowns and a punt-return touchdown in his first three games with USC, was listed as doubtful.

— Sean Campbell, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of freshman

Browse Nearby Words

neophiliacs

neophyte

neophytes

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Neophyte.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neophyte. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of neophyte

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on neophyte

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

argot

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

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

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

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes