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
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Recent Examples of neophytes
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
For its candidates in each of Hungary's 106 individual voting constituencies, Tisza has largely drawn on political neophytes locally active as entrepreneurs, doctors, economists, educators and other professionals.
—Arkansas Online, 16 Feb. 2026
Heartland churchgoers, urban sophisticates, football neophytes—everyone got swept up in his will to win.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 8 Feb. 2026
The horse's body is formed by four bright stars — the famous Great Square — one of the easiest star patterns for astronomy neophytes to trace out.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 16 Nov. 2025
The former played the role of cynosure for the neophytes of the new high society, the latter remaining the bastion of genteel estates and social exclusivity.
—JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025
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
For its candidates in each of Hungary's 106 individual voting constituencies, Tisza has largely drawn on political neophytes locally active as entrepreneurs, doctors, economists, educators and other professionals.
—Arkansas Online, 16 Feb. 2026
Heartland churchgoers, urban sophisticates, football neophytes—everyone got swept up in his will to win.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 8 Feb. 2026
The horse's body is formed by four bright stars — the famous Great Square — one of the easiest star patterns for astronomy neophytes to trace out.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 16 Nov. 2025
The former played the role of cynosure for the neophytes of the new high society, the latter remaining the bastion of genteel estates and social exclusivity.
—JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for neophytes
Noun
-
But its games still bring a mix of newcomers, out-of-towners and people who couldn’t get tickets to whatever was going on at The Sphere.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
-
The friendships were fleeting, necessarily occasional, as there were always church newcomers and samplers and people moving away.—
Chang-rae Lee,
New Yorker,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
Game after game, stadiums were filled to capacity, packed not only with tourists and die-hard fans but also with soccer novices who came out of curiosity and because tickets were relatively affordable, according to soccer historians.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
9 May 2026
-
Both of the Broadway novices are proudly bearing souvenirs of other passion projects.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Gathering intel on recruits is similar to how Flaherty went about his job as a reporter.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
8 May 2026
-
The nonprofit that recruits, trains, and supports foster families.—
Madeline Montgomery,
CBS News,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Folsom has Lake Natoma, which the campaign says caters to beginners, families and competitive paddlers, citing the lake’s 5 mph speed limit.—
Corey Schmidt,
Sacbee.com,
1 May 2026
-
Most beginners assume more water equals a happier plant.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
One in eight freshmen at UC San Diego requires special remedial math classes just to catch up.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
With the significant turnover in the Senate, there is a real opportunity for freshmen legislators to serve on significant committees next year.—
Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards,
Mercury News,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Nineteen-year-old James Shavers is one of the pre-apprentices at Prosperity Building Futures Trades & Entrepreneurship Training Center.—
Suzanne Le Mignot,
CBS News,
7 May 2026
-
Arthur Bryant’s and Gates Bar-B-Q, whose origins can be traced back to Henry Perry through his apprentices decades ago.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Eric Galko, the director of football operations for the East-West Shrine bowl, is bullish about several Dolphins rookies who will debut during the team’s minicamp on Friday.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
-
Root for the new rookies who were just selected in the NFL Draft.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Neophytes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neophytes. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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