as in novices
a person who is just starting out in a field of activity
although a star in his old sport of basketball, he was still just a rookie as far as baseball was concerned
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Recent Examples of rookies
Hathaway and Adenot are both spaceflight rookies headed to orbit for the first time.
—
Josh Dinner, Space.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Many of these returning medalists are favorites to make the podium once again, but plenty of Olympic rookies are in position to do so as well.
—Michelle Bruton, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Edgecombe and Dallas Mavericks' forward Cooper Flagg are the only two rookies in the NBA averaging at least 15 points, five rebounds and four assists.
—Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Dëmin is already one of the most prolific 3-point shooting rookies the franchise has seen.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 27 Jan. 2026
Rising Stars are chosen by NBA assistant coaches with each team submitting a ballot ranking 10 rookies and 10 sophomores.
—Hector Amezcua, Sacbee.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The three young players have enjoyed experiencing their rookies seasons together.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
Flagg and Knueppel headline the 10 rookies, which also includes Philadelphia’s VJ Edgecombe, San Antonio’s Dylan Harper, New Orleans’ Derik Queen and former Lake Highlands standout Tre Johnson.
—Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 26 Jan. 2026
That means developing rookies into NFL players with the first, second and three, third-round picks this spring.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2026
Josh Dinner, Space.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Many of these returning medalists are favorites to make the podium once again, but plenty of Olympic rookies are in position to do so as well.
—Michelle Bruton, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Edgecombe and Dallas Mavericks' forward Cooper Flagg are the only two rookies in the NBA averaging at least 15 points, five rebounds and four assists.
—Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Dëmin is already one of the most prolific 3-point shooting rookies the franchise has seen.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 27 Jan. 2026
Rising Stars are chosen by NBA assistant coaches with each team submitting a ballot ranking 10 rookies and 10 sophomores.
—Hector Amezcua, Sacbee.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The three young players have enjoyed experiencing their rookies seasons together.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
Flagg and Knueppel headline the 10 rookies, which also includes Philadelphia’s VJ Edgecombe, San Antonio’s Dylan Harper, New Orleans’ Derik Queen and former Lake Highlands standout Tre Johnson.
—Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 26 Jan. 2026
That means developing rookies into NFL players with the first, second and three, third-round picks this spring.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rookies
Noun
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For seasoned cooks and kitchen novices, cookbook author and nutritionist Robin Miller takes it back to basics with great, family-friendly recipes worth making over and over again.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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Both novices and longboarders hold high regard for this surfing mecca on account of its enticing long breakers, which provide hours of great wave riding.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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There’s an equestrian centre for experienced riders and beginners alike, and the option to do the most touristy of all activities, camel riding in the dunes.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
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Nearby Kissing Bridge Ski Area features over 20 miles of downhill trails for beginners, experts, and parkgoers alike.—
Brian Higgins,
Outside,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The Titans are one of the youngest teams in the Big West, with six freshmen and five sophomores.—
Brian Robin,
Oc Register,
28 Jan. 2026
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Two names to watch who aren’t on this list are freshmen Jay Timmons and Jordan Thomas.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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At the film’s center are the lovably gruff duo Flic and Minna, played with precision and stiff-upper-lipped hilarity by newcomers Marni Duggan and Galaxie Clear respectively.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
24 Jan. 2026
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With that in mind, our 10 favorite serum foundations—from heritage labels like Chanel to clean beauty cult-favorites and indie newcomers like Outside—In—for that your skin-but-better look, backed by the pros and Vogue beauty editors.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
By drawing attention to practices at their most fragile moment, the USL is creating space for those interactions — enabling masters to teach and apprentices to learn.—
Kristin Houser,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
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The pope, at this very moment, is having the fallen part of the Colosseum rebuilt; half a dozen mason’s apprentices, without any scaffolding, are righting the colossus on whose shoulders a nation, transformed into slave laborers, perished.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rookies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rookies. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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