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
  • About 95% of early voters also cast ballots in the 2024 presidential election, a reminder that the first wave is dominated by more regular voters and not newcomers.
    — Charles Minshew, AJC.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Still, California’s appeal to some newcomers hasn’t translated into stronger overall migration numbers.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 19 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 Roos were early with their offer but were quickly surpassed as Crooks became one of the top recruits in the country.
    — PJ Green October 21, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026
  • That came a day after a strike on a government military camp killed 73 recruits and wounded more than 200.
    — Olivia Gazis, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of recruit
Noun
  • Coach Mike Brown said the program welcomes beginners and experienced runners, with an emphasis on effort and improvement.
    — Donald Fountain, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The machine handles the setup steps that usually trip up beginners.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 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
  • Armstrong, appearing in his first NFL game as a rookie out of Cincinnati, hauled in a catch with an athletic play over the middle for 13 yards and a first down.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2026
  • That’s why Sieler also implored the rookies to not totally check out.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of rookie
Noun
  • The 5-foot-10, 185-pound redshirt freshman has been a key part of the Knights’ ground game, rushing for 162 yards on 32 carries and scoring two touchdowns.
    — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Oregon State is off to a 5-2 start, 3-0 in conference play, behind talented sophomore quarterback Braden Atkinson and Heisman Trophy hopeful freshman wide receiver Jesse Legree.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 22 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 24 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about neophyte

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