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 March 13, 2026 For Gen Z neophytes and hardcore fans overseas (South Asian and Nigerian Mike zealots apparently have a lot to say on the matter), the idea of MJ/Prince ever being a rivalry is laughable. — Keith Murphy, VIBE.com, 7 June 2026 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 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

Last year, several Department of Homeland Security officials told NBC News some of the ICE recruits had failed to meet the standards for hire, including having disqualifying criminal backgrounds or lacking physical or academic requirements.

— Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 3 Nov. 2026
That quartet includes senior guard/forward Mallorie Rose, a Jacksonville State softball recruit, senior forward/center Olivia Adams, junior guard Jenna Walker and junior guard Camry Krueger.

— Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of recruit

Noun

This is a great beginner-friendly telescope and comes with a couple of eyepieces to get new users on their skywatching journey.

— Harry Bennett, Space.com, 5 Nov. 2026
Eighty percent of the skiers are local, says Linebaugh, and half the runs are expert level, while the other half are well suited for beginners, intermediate, and ski school.

— Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of beginner

Noun

As part of the program, IBM will participate in a new City Colleges apprenticeship program to support 500 students to work at the innovation center over the next five years, hiring at least 180 apprentice alumni to reach its employment target.

— Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
In 2025, Google committed $10 million to the Electrical Training Alliance to help train more than 100,000 electricians and 30,000 new apprentices within five years.

— Phillip Marangella, Forbes.com, 5 Nov. 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

Sophomore Lexi White had 10 kills, nine digs and two aces, while freshman Taryn Lambert added 12 kills, 13 digs and two solo blocks.

— Steve Gorches, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026
Georgia's Gigi Artiles is the only other outside hitters to be named the freshman of the week at least once.

— Zoe Collins Rath, Austin American Statesman, 5 Nov. 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 11 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of neophyte

noun

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