neophytes

noun

plural of neophyte
1
as in newcomers
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 novices
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 neophytes Stearns moved on from the former core of homegrown players, such as Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo, and acquired New York neophytes Bo Bichette, Marcus Semien and others. — Will Sammon, New York Times, 26 June 2026 Those players and Conwell, along with returning Heat neophytes Goldin, Keels, Jahmir Young and Myron Gardner, are expected to fill slots on the Heat summer roster that will be guided by assistant coach Wayne Ellington. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 25 June 2026 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 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 This is a lovely film that will appeal to Bernstein’s most ardent fans, while warmly inviting neophytes into his world. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 23 Apr. 2026 Perhaps the thing that did catch the Penguins off guard was the way Philadelphia's playoff neophytes hardly seemed intimidated by the stage or the opponent. — CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026 But that sonic democratization is a large part of Suno’s allure for neophytes, who welcome the opportunity to have AI do most — or all — of the work for them, almost instantaneously. — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for neophytes
  1. newcomers
  2. novices
  3. recruits
  4. beginners
  5. freshmen
  6. apprentices
  7. rookies
Noun
  • Now the status of a long list of newcomers who played professionally overseas, particularly those who earned a paycheck, is up in the air.
    — Brendan Marks, New York Times, 30 July 2026
  • Indiana’s list of 18 transfer newcomers includes former TCU quarterback Josh Hoover and ex-Michigan State wide receiver Nick Marsh.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Definition of newcomers
Noun
  • Knowledgeable bartenders guide novices and obsessives alike, making an overwhelming list feel approachable rather than intimidating.
    — USA TODAY NETWORK, USA Today, 29 July 2026
  • Some are tennis novices while others, like Foon, are coming off a long pause.
    — Lynda Lin Grigsby, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of novices
Noun
  • Finally, the third recruits seaweed to gather minerals that are otherwise too dilute to chase.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 July 2026
  • Continuing to move on unwanted squad members would assist with having the scope to bring in recruits.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 27 July 2026
Definition of recruits
Noun
  • Pro tips The biggest mistake beginners make with pencil eyeliner is attempting to draw one flawless, uninterrupted stroke from the inner corner to the outer corner.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 24 July 2026
  • For beginners, Fidelity's Roth IRA has no minimum deposit and offers retirement calculators, educational resources and the option to automate investing through Fidelity Go.
    — Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 23 July 2026
Definition of beginners
Noun
  • For high school freshmen, that number was even lower, at just 38% meeting grade level on the English I STAAR exam.
    — Samuel O’Neal July 31, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026
  • The warmup isn’t hard to learn; the incoming freshmen master it before their first fall camp.
    — Pete Sampson, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of freshmen
Noun
  • There, King Charles works with head gardener Gráinne Ring and her team of 15, including apprentices, to cultivate the 15 acres of blooms, hedges, trees and more.
    — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
  • According to accounts by Wright’s apprentices, after procrastinating on drawing any plans for nine months, Wright designed the house in two hours in September 1935 while the Kaufmanns were driving to his office to review them.
    — Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 14 July 2026
Definition of apprentices
Noun
  • More will be revealed when pads come on, especially considering this is a position that generally isn’t kind to rookies.
    — Chad Graff, New York Times, 30 July 2026
  • On Wednesday, the Kansas City Chiefs’ veterans joined rookies and quarterbacks for the team’s first full-squad practice of training camp.
    — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2026
Definition of rookies

Browse Nearby Words

neophyte
neophytes
neoplasm
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Cite this Entry

“Neophytes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neophytes. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of neophytes for Spanish Speakers

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