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
Relevance
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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for neophytes
Noun
-
Banquet halls were where a parcel could get dropped off to reach the airport or where Armenian newcomers could learn about resources for government assistance.—
Ani Duzdabanyan,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
-
He is joined by newcomers Leo Woodall as Halvard, Kate Winslet as Marigol, and returning franchise stars Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Elijah Wood as Frodo, and Lee Pace as Thranduil.—
Sharareh Drury,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
Aspiring nuns begin their training in this convent, and novices take their vows before being sent out to serve the community.—
Sophie Neiman,
NPR,
20 June 2026
-
This makes these spots good for young anglers and novices as well as those with mobility challenges.—
Kaitlyn Keegan,
Hartford Courant,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
The sprawling facility cycles through tens of thousands of recruits every year.—
Daniel Arkin,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
-
Three Philadelphia-area athletes, including two Syracuse University football recruits, were arrested in connection with an attack in Old City that left a person concussed, among other injuries, police said.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
How to find Mercury on June 15 The Celestron NexStar 4SE is ideal for beginners wanting quality, reliable and quick views of the night sky.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
15 June 2026
-
Check out this soccer guide for beginners and aficionados.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
Committed to Mark Few and Gonzaga for more than eight months, Johnson has a chance to become one of the better perimeter freshmen the Bulldogs have had in recent years.—
Tobias Bass,
New York Times,
15 June 2026
-
UConn brought in nine new players this offseason – seven transfers and two freshmen – after losing five to expiring eligibility and five more to the transfer portal.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
The location is intended to help students, technicians, apprentices, and engineers move directly into careers linked to quantum technologies.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
17 June 2026
-
Regular midwives were primarily women, trained as apprentices but not institutionally educated.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Delaney, Kutryk and Teteryatnikov are all rookies.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 June 2026
-
Smith had reportedly visited Levi’s Stadium to speak to new 49ers rookies as soon as one week before his death.—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Neophytes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neophytes. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
