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 The mission lands, though theoretically earmarked for former neophytes, always seemed to end up in the pockets of Mexican-Spanish Californios. — Literary Hub, 29 July 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for neophytes
  1. newcomers
  2. novices
  3. recruits
  4. beginners
  5. freshmen
  6. apprentices
  7. rookies
Noun
  • The hotel’s connections with local neighbors is also particularly impressive (no mean feat for newcomers in Kyoto) with The Shinmonzen’s friends ranging from local bento box makers who deliver by bicycle to generations-old antique shop owners.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The newcomers leading the race for the other seats — Devon Graves and Oranit Limmaneeprasert — were both candidates endorsed by the Los Rios College Federation of Teachers.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of newcomers
Noun
  • By automating the cadence and gear changes, Honda is catering to novices who don't want to think about gear selection or power management on the trail.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The political novices were able to rally the nation behind a simple message against corruption and state capture.
    — Chris Massaro, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of novices
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
  • Hazing involves requiring new or potential recruits to the military or college fraternities to perform strenuous, humiliating or dangerous tasks.
    — Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of recruits
Noun
  • Wood pulp papers are the thickest and most popular choice for beginners.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Ski Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is one of the hardest mountains in North America, with only 10 percent of its terrain meant for beginners.
    — Lindsay Cohn, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of beginners
Noun
  • Schumer helped elect the freshmen who have not committed to supporting him.
    — Theodoric Meyer The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026
  • One of the Guardians’ freshmen, Brooke Kestler, who ran well at the Wickham Invitational, hurt her ankle at the CCC championship and hadn’t raced since then.
    — Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of freshmen
Noun
  • In addition to its own team of more than a dozen chefs and apprentices, Home Chef has also featured menu collaborations with celebrity chefs, including Giada De Laurentiis, Rachael Ray and Gordon Ramsay.
    — Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Built with the help of his apprentices, the complex was designed to blend into the surrounding Sonoran Desert, using local stone in a construction style known as desert masonry.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of apprentices
Noun
  • Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson both sat out FP1 so rookies could drive their cars, which may have contributed to both being too eager to set a fast time in FP2.
    — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Still, progress with an ultra-young team needs to be measured incrementally, and the rookies (Jacob Rodriguez, Caleb Douglas, Kevin Coleman) and other youngsters flashed with some plays yet again.
    — Kenny Rosarion, Sun Sentinel, 1 Nov. 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 8 Nov. 2026.

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