NEOPHYTES Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

neophytes

noun

plural of neophyte

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

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

Noun

Variety has also obtained an exclusive new image from the film, which stars Antonia Buresi alongside newcomers Colas Quignard, Suzanne Gerin and Mitia Capellier-Audat.

— Clayton Davis, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
Backup quarterbacks Justin Fields and Garrett Nussmeier figure to get the bulk of the snaps, at least early, and the performances among newcomers at running back and the defensive interior will be among the biggest curiosities.

— Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of newcomers

Noun

The music industry has been wrestling with the pros and cons of the new technology that allows musical novices to create professional-sounding songs in seconds.

— Bloomberg, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026
Studies of customer service representatives using AI assistance found that novices gained most from AI coaching suggestions, but critically, those learning effects transferred beyond specific situations.

— ByJonathan H. Westover, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of novices

Noun

Both junior investment bankers and senior banking veterans—including former Morgan Stanley managing director Alisha Lehr just last month—are among OpenAI’s latest recruits.

— Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026
Smart’s Georgia teams have produced 84 draft picks and 21 first-round selections over his 10 years leading the program, including 63 draft picks and 15 first-rounders over the past six years with his recruits in place.

— Mike Griffith, AJC.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of recruits

Noun

Founder Megan Masters fell in love with mahjong in 2023, but found the sets expensive and overwhelming for beginners.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
Falls are another injury risk beginners underestimate, according to Ryan Glatt, CPT, NBC-HWC, a senior brain health coach at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, California.

— Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of beginners

Noun

With the money, the museum is able to sustain, among other things, an internship program for teaching apprentices and a speaker series.

— News Desk, Artforum, 11 Aug. 2026
City Colleges recently launched Chicago Moonshot, an apprenticeship initiative associated with the Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park, where the district has committed to graduating hundreds of IT apprentices over the next five years.

— Shalin Jyotishi, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of apprentices

Noun

Behind those contributions from a quartet of rookies, the Giants beat the Houston Astros 4-1 at Oracle Park.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026
The two-day test allows additional track time for all teams, including rookies looking to complete the Rookie Orientation Program.

— Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of rookies

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neophyte

neophytes

neoplasm

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“Neophytes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neophytes. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of neophytes

noun

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