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

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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
  • However, as Germany’s economic problems — slow growth, high inflation, rising energy prices — have worsened, public sentiment toward the newcomers has deteriorated.
    — Kirsten Grieshaber, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
  • That combination—veteran experience and newcomer mentality—may be the key to understanding the current moment.
    — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of newcomer
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of novice
Noun
  • Yeoh plays Olwen, a replicant Blade Runner nearing the end of her life, who partners with Schafer’s Cora, a mysterious new recruit.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The four-star recruit was ranked among the top 300 players nationally by various outlets.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of recruit
Noun
  • The beginner's trap is expecting the Great Square to be compact and immediately obvious.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The evening will start with a beginner class, followed by intermediate instruction for more experienced terpsichorean talents.
    — Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of beginner
Noun
  • 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
  • More than half of the new money will go toward the CUNY Professional Development Institute to add 30 apprentices, doubling the total enrollment to 60 trainees, according to a press release shared with the Daily News ahead of the announcement.
    — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of apprentice
Noun
  • Park Hae-il plays the head of a newspaper’s social affairs desk, and Lee Min-ho a rookie reporter.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The previous Miami rookie mark was by Zach Thomas, who had 16 against Arizona in 1996.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of rookie
Noun
  • Promising freshman Olivia Vukosa, the incoming freshman from New York City’s Christ The King High, was the Big East Freshman of the Year.
    — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Starting freshman tight end Mark Bowman was also listed as questionable on the report after catching six passes for 44 yards against Oregon and amassing the second-most receptions on the team overall with 21.
    — Sean Campbell, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of freshman

Browse Nearby Words

neophiliacs
neophyte
neophytes
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Cite this Entry

“Neophyte.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neophyte. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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