as in novices
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
as in plucks
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 rooks
Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 1 May 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
Noun
This strategy has been seen among wild jackdaws and wild rooks.
—Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 1 May 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rooks
Noun
-
Both of the Broadway novices are proudly bearing souvenirs of other passion projects.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Many of us, both novices and veterans alike, tend to use too much force when molding our patties.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Carrera now plucks the melody in single notes.—
Peter Wayne Moe,
Longreads,
26 Mar. 2026
-
But if Rick later plucks something from behind that rock at the fire, are others going to start poking around looking for stuff?—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Baptism of Christ is generally believed to have been completed by El Greco’s son and other apprentices in his workshop in the decade after the artist died.—
Leigh Anne Miller,
ARTnews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Art historians believe it was unfinished at the time El Greco died in 1614 and that it was completed by the painter’s son, Jorge Manuel, with help from other apprentices in El Greco’s workshop.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In games like Tuesday, when that deep postseason run seems realistic, UCLA pops the ball around on offense and communicates and hustles to overcome its deficiencies on defense.—
Aaron Heisen,
Daily News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Compared to the behemoth Acela, which hustles hundreds of thousands of riders between Boston, New York City, and Washington DC each month, Amtrak's Mardi Gras line is downright petite—just two 58-seat coaches, plus a café car and a 14-seat Business Class car.—
Kara Newman,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But among players such as rookies Rodriguez, the second-round pick from Texas Tech, Trey Moore, the fourth-round pick from Texas, and Kyle Louis, the fourth-round pick from Pitt, perhaps someone emerges or perhaps a hybrid role is created.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Only three of the team’s 15 active players have more than four years of experience in the WNBA, and six are rookies.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Inspired by real stories, Eva Marcille portrays a wife who miraculously cheats death after her husband’s (Tyler Lepley) betrayal in Pushed Off a Plane and Survived airing on February 28.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Blashill wants the Blackhawks to be a fast-pressure team at both ends of the rink, one that attacks vertically but never cheats for offense.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
In Northbrook, prizes and awards will be presented for all nine races, from beginners to top-level professionals, Schuler said.—
Phil Rockrohr,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The studio has been hosting workshops since December for both beginners and advanced students to learn more about the technique.—
Muriel Vega,
AJC.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Nothing stings more than seeing a shipping fee tacked on top of an order that was already a splurge.—
Hannah Chubb,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Apr. 2026
-
This scene stings with recognition.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rooks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rooks. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
