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

Rachel Weatherington, who challenged political newcomer Geramie Parrish in the Place 4 race, was ahead with 70% of the vote with Parrish garnering 30%, according to unofficial, incomplete results from Tarrant County.

— Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026
Doral voters elected newcomer Peter Espinosa to the City Council on Tuesday, while incumbent Maureen Porras held a narrow lead of just eight votes in the race for Seat 2.

— Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of newcomer

Noun

By July, morale among immigration officers had dipped below its nadir during the Biden Administration, with agents now complaining of being overextended, inundated with novice recruits, and undermined by inflammatory rhetoric from on high.

— Francisco Cantú, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
Thomas was a novice attorney who had already run and lost as the Republican candidate for state attorney general.

— Michael Kiefer, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of novice

Noun

Classes range from beginner-friendly lessons, like learning how to use a machine, to teaching intermediate skills, like hemming pants or installing a zipper.

— Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
Ski Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is one of the hardest mountains in North America, with only 10 percent of its terrain meant for beginners.

— Lindsay Cohn, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of beginner

Noun

When unnecessary costs accumulate, a small contractor may have less money available for raises, equipment, another apprentice or employee benefits.

— Christian Swann, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026
But Glennon’s glad-handing soon gives way to a much blunter critique when my Ear-Candling Tech’s apprentice steps in to say that my team has absolutely had it with me and my excuses.

— Julie Klausner, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of apprentice

Noun

Heat rookie Ryan Conwell was the first guard used off the bench on Monday after beginning the season out of the rotation.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
Judd Caulfield scored twice, rookie Roger McQueen added another and Leo Carlsson had three assists to help the Ducks win for the second time in nine games.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of rookie

Noun

The Panthers, with three freshmen and two sophomores playing major roles, finished 22-4.

— Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
Adding Gwath, who had 68 blocks as a freshman and 37 as a sophomore and moves well, certainly boosts that goal, and Gwath thinks the team’s length and experience should help on defense.

— Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 29 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 4 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of neophyte

noun

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