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
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Recent Examples of rooks
Hannah Silverman, Parents, 15 Nov. 2025
Noun
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
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Phil and Renee Shafer are the owners of Cast + Clara Bell, a resource for both cast-iron novices and collectors.—
Kate Donovan,
Martha Stewart,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Launched in 2019, Gotcha Matcha says its has something for matcha enthusiasts, novices and everyone in between.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Suddenly, Jeff Parker plucks a sighing six-note guitar run, dropping his shoulders into a solo section that carries the tune to its swooning conclusion.—
Dash Lewis,
Pitchfork,
20 Dec. 2025
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As Natalie walks away from Shayne, possibly for good, and as Venus and some entity named Gabby lunge for each other, Katie Maloney Schwartz Maloney plucks out her earbuds, pulls her sunglasses off her cunty little bob, closes her copy of The Shards, and packs up her bag.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
17 Dec. 2025
Noun
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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
Verb
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Most notably, watch here as backup center Oso Ighodaro shuts down Jalen Brunson’s final attempt to tie the score, then Grayson Allen deflects his pass, hustles into the backcourt and banks it off Mikal Bridges’ face and out of bounds.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
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The pair goes out and hustles other players with a cunning ruse that relies on the era’s racial and ethnic divisions.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
29 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Hathaway and Adenot are both spaceflight rookies headed to orbit for the first time.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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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
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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Losing Sproat stings as a player the Mets drafted twice and developed into a big-league starter, but the right-hander out of the University of Florida is still unproven.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
22 Jan. 2026
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January 20 – February 18 When pride stings, compassion clears the air.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rooks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rooks. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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