rook 1 of 2

noun

Definition of rooknext
as in novice
a person who is just starting out in a field of activity every year the coaches have to deal with rooks who don't know the rules yet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rook

2 of 2

verb

as in to hustle
to rob by the use of trickery or threats once you learn to recognize these swindler's tricks, no one will be able to use them to rook you

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 rook
Noun
The faux snug pairs a conch with a helix or double-helix piercing, while the faux rook is one piercing in the upper inner cartilage with a dangle or drop-style jewelry to mimic the look of a traditional rook piercing. — Marianne Mychaskiw, Allure, 24 Jan. 2026 But this isn’t the Queen’s Gambit, and at 4 and 6, Bluey and Bingo aren’t interested in prawns (pawns), castle heads (rooks), or pom pom elves (bishops). — Hannah Silverman, Parents, 15 Nov. 2025
Verb
Faux snug and rook Inspired to get a snug or rook piercing but don’t have the anatomy for the real deal? — Marianne Mychaskiw, Allure, 24 Jan. 2026 The state says Trump rooked his way into the financing, at attractive interest rates, by padding his wealth. — Michael R. Sisak, Fortune, 16 Dec. 2023 See All Example Sentences for rook
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rook
  1. novice
  2. hustle
  3. beginner
  4. pluck
  5. rookie
  6. cheat
  7. apprentice
  8. sting
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
  • With tastings, master classes, wine-and-food pairing seminars, conversations, concerts, and in several cases, auctions, wine festivals offer something for everyone from novice to expert.
    — Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 23 July 2026
Definition of novice
Verb
  • The over-all technical director, Oscar Lopez, whose day job entails managing events at Resorts World, hustled crews carefully among setups and sites.
    — Paige Williams, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Devers, who finished with three hits, eschewed his power for small ball in the fifth, laying down a surprise bunt for a single, then hustling home on Susac’s sacrifice fly.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 31 July 2026
Definition of hustle
Noun
  • The activity's simplicity means beginners can start light and progress gradually, even using household items for weight.
    — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The property is just a five-minute walk from the Côte des Basques beach (one of the best beginner-friendly surf beaches in the city), and close to the restaurants and bars of the Beaurivage neighborhood (known locally as ‘Bibi’).
    — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 31 July 2026
Definition of beginner
Verb
  • The spa The on-site spa could never be a flashy, luxury spa plucked from any random resort.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
  • However, no amount of personal story can pluck out the thorn in our side that Janet versus Danny.
    — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 30 July 2026
Definition of pluck
Noun
  • Chris Brazzell, the rookie the Panthers were counting on to be an occasional player and deep-ball threat for Young, was carted off Wednesday with a knee injury.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
  • Later, Royals rookie duo Carter Jensen and Jac Caglianone added RBI hits.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
Definition of rookie
Verb
  • While just around 3,000 of the 150,000 or so tests have been invalidated, all students – including those who, like Velázquez, are not suspected of cheating – have been left in limbo pending the result of UNAM’s investigation into the matter.
    — Mauricio Torres, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • But after he was accused of cheating, the school suspended him for a year and gave him an F in the course Sourcing and Managing Funds.
    — Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026
Definition of cheat
Noun
  • Jagetz described tattooing as a profession that remains heavily male dominated, where apprentices are frequently expected to tolerate inappropriate behavior because obtaining a license often depends on the person training them.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Pennsylvania touts nearly 150 pre-apprenticeship programs serving 3,200 pre-apprentices.
    — Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of apprentice
Verb
  • For van Ess, the decision particularly stings because Google Earth has long been regarded as one of the best tools to verify information posted on social media.
    — Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 31 July 2026
  • The lionfish's poisonous spikes can badly hurt anyone who’s stung.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Definition of sting

Browse Nearby Words

roofs
rook
rooked
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rook. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on rook

Nglish: Translation of rook for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rook

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of colloquial

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All