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 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 For her motoring partner, Fade Ogunro, also a Dodgeball neophyte, piloting their Porsche was a matter of pride. — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 11 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for neophyte

Recent Examples of Synonyms for neophyte

Noun

Charlotte has a growing reputation as a food city, and there’s no shortage of great dining options for newcomers and visitors, along with people in the know.

— Evan Moore July 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026
Some are centuries-old grande dames; others are boutique newcomers.

— Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 23 July 2026

Definition of newcomer

Noun

The quick alignment will be a boon to the novice politician, who is simultaneously planning Lindsey Graham’s funeral, serving in his seat via appointment, and launching a snap campaign.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 20 July 2026
The buyers, Jung said, are not simply novice traders chasing online hype.

— Lee Ying Shan,Blair Baek, CNBC, 20 July 2026

Definition of novice

Noun

The former top-50 recruit became social media fodder for playing at four high schools in four years before eventually signing with Georgia.

— Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Dozens of police officers, many of them recent recruits, were eventually disciplined for actions related to police corruption, and many were convicted of crimes related to stealing drugs from traffickers.

— Meg Anderson, NPR, 23 July 2026

Definition of recruit

Noun

Float down the Barren Fork River with beginner-friendly kayak rentals, then relax at the 8-acre pet-friendly campground featuring tent sites, RV hookups, and rental campers.

— Korrin Bishop, Southern Living, 18 July 2026
Meanwhile, the Summer Triangle — formed by Vega, Deneb and Altair — hangs almost overhead during the darkest hours, making this one of the easiest seasonal star patterns for beginners to learn.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of beginner

Noun

The tedium of the task was how the apprentice became the master.

— Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
The sad thing was that within days of becoming an apprentice, he was packed off to hospital for a cartilage operation on a knee that, 10 years later, would bring a permanent end to his career.

— Andy Mitten, New York Times, 17 July 2026

Definition of apprentice

Noun

Wood was a training camp standout as a rookie, but veteran experience in the room just didn’t offer any path to the roster.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026
Rakestraw is just two years removed from a stellar training camp as a rookie playing nickel.

— Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 22 July 2026

Definition of rookie

Noun

Woodring, an All-SEC honoree the past two seasons, has been the Bulldogs’ primary placekicker since the first game of his freshman season, when he was named a Lou Groza Award semifinalist.

— Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 24 July 2026
More than 20 students, many of them freshmen, darted around the lush grounds.

— Avery Stone, HollywoodReporter, 23 July 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 24 Jul. 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

itinerant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

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

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

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

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

Popular in Wordplay

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes