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
Last week, the mailbag named Hall, cornerback DeVonta Smith and offensive lineman Isaia Glass as the three undrafted rookies with the best shots at the 53-man roster.
—
Mike Kaye
updated May 20, Charlotte Observer, 20 May 2026
There’s a collection of experienced players who will be paired with NFL veterans likely getting their last legitimate chance to become NFL starters, if not contributors, and rookies looking to make a name for themselves.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 18 May 2026
Though he wasn’t selected in April’s seven-round draft, that hasn’t stopped Matsuzawa from becoming one of the most talked-about rookies.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 15 May 2026
Sennecke’s big postseason continues With a goal in his fourth consecutive game, Sennecke joined Auston Matthews, Nicklas Backstrom and Logan Couture as rookies with four-game goal streaks in the playoffs over the last 25 years.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 13 May 2026
Tabor called it a numbers game, as the team opted to squeeze additional undrafted rookies onto the roster.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2026
The Sparks rookies are here early, Ta’Niya Latson first, followed by Jihyun Park and then Chance Gray, all arriving while the last section of sparkly black carpet is still being laid down on the literal tunnel, which is finally emblazoned with the team logo.
—Jade Chang, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
In that time, the club added 26 players who were rookies when stepping on to AHL ice.
—Allan Mitchell, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Certainly for the rookies, there has to be honorable mentions handed out for HBO’s Robert Downey Jr-filled The Sympathizer, Hulu’s Queenie and the touching and hilarious How to Die Alone.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Dec. 2024
Mike Kaye
updated May 20, Charlotte Observer, 20 May 2026
There’s a collection of experienced players who will be paired with NFL veterans likely getting their last legitimate chance to become NFL starters, if not contributors, and rookies looking to make a name for themselves.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 18 May 2026
Though he wasn’t selected in April’s seven-round draft, that hasn’t stopped Matsuzawa from becoming one of the most talked-about rookies.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 15 May 2026
Sennecke’s big postseason continues With a goal in his fourth consecutive game, Sennecke joined Auston Matthews, Nicklas Backstrom and Logan Couture as rookies with four-game goal streaks in the playoffs over the last 25 years.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 13 May 2026
Tabor called it a numbers game, as the team opted to squeeze additional undrafted rookies onto the roster.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2026
The Sparks rookies are here early, Ta’Niya Latson first, followed by Jihyun Park and then Chance Gray, all arriving while the last section of sparkly black carpet is still being laid down on the literal tunnel, which is finally emblazoned with the team logo.
—Jade Chang, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
In that time, the club added 26 players who were rookies when stepping on to AHL ice.
—Allan Mitchell, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Certainly for the rookies, there has to be honorable mentions handed out for HBO’s Robert Downey Jr-filled The Sympathizer, Hulu’s Queenie and the touching and hilarious How to Die Alone.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rookies
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
-
However, Origin may be overkill for beginners or anyone looking for a basic budgeting app with a minimal interface.—
Amy DeYoung,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
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Replit has broad reach across beginners, educators and enterprises alike.—
Rebecca Fannin,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
Noun
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A lot of the other seniors on this team were on varsity or JV as freshmen that year.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
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The women’s team looks to have mostly transfers while the men’s team will feature eight freshmen.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Staff is super attentive and happy to break down the menu to newcomers.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 May 2026
-
After the game, roughly half of the Inter Miami players, mostly newcomers and younger players, went over toward the North stands, applauded and paid tribute to La Familia.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets construction apprentices during a visit to London South Bank Technical College on May 12, 2026 in London, England.—
Frank Andrews,
CBS News,
12 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
Cite this Entry
“Rookies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rookies. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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