as in novice
a person who is just starting out in a field of activity
skateboarders who are tenderfeet will inevitably fall as they learn their first moves
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 tenderfoot
Smit-McPhee plays a hapless Scottish tenderfoot who teams with Fassbender's conflicted bounty hunter to track down his true love in the American West.
—
and Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 21 June 2024
The tenderfoot Americans, with six rookies, eight guys yet to reach 30, and minimal scar tissue, won three of four foursomes in the morning to get to 9-3 and two of four fourball rounds in the afternoon to reach 11-5.
—BostonGlobe.com, 25 Sep. 2021
Once upon a time, the members of a whitetail deer hunting club in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula invited a tenderfoot to their camp.
—The Editors, Field & Stream, 11 Oct. 2020
But even a tenderfoot can easily corral yeast and put it to use, because yeast is everywhere.
—Henry Fountain, New York Times, 7 May 2020
Lazaria Spearman School: Dacula High Class: 2022 Position: Forward
College: Undecided
Noteworthy: The 6-foot-2 tenderfoot averaged 17 points and 14 rebounds per game to help the Falcons to a 26-4 record.
—USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2020
But like a tenderfoot scout who confidently builds a campfire only to end up burning down the forest, Kalanick’s loose management — of his staff and himself — paved the way for a cascade of embarrassing scandals by 2014.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2019
The film stars Robert Pattinson as Samuel Alabaster, a foppishly dressed tenderfoot who shows up on the Oregon territory with miniature horse named Butterscotch, looking to hire a preacher (David Zellner) for a wedding.
—Gary Thompson, Philly.com, 27 June 2018
and Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 21 June 2024
The tenderfoot Americans, with six rookies, eight guys yet to reach 30, and minimal scar tissue, won three of four foursomes in the morning to get to 9-3 and two of four fourball rounds in the afternoon to reach 11-5.
—BostonGlobe.com, 25 Sep. 2021
Once upon a time, the members of a whitetail deer hunting club in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula invited a tenderfoot to their camp.
—The Editors, Field & Stream, 11 Oct. 2020
But even a tenderfoot can easily corral yeast and put it to use, because yeast is everywhere.
—Henry Fountain, New York Times, 7 May 2020
Lazaria Spearman School: Dacula High Class: 2022 Position: Forward
College: Undecided
Noteworthy: The 6-foot-2 tenderfoot averaged 17 points and 14 rebounds per game to help the Falcons to a 26-4 record.
—USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2020
But like a tenderfoot scout who confidently builds a campfire only to end up burning down the forest, Kalanick’s loose management — of his staff and himself — paved the way for a cascade of embarrassing scandals by 2014.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2019
The film stars Robert Pattinson as Samuel Alabaster, a foppishly dressed tenderfoot who shows up on the Oregon territory with miniature horse named Butterscotch, looking to hire a preacher (David Zellner) for a wedding.
—Gary Thompson, Philly.com, 27 June 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tenderfoot
Noun
-
Everyone from novice hikers to camping enthusiasts will find gear worth shopping, and prices start at just $24.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Mild discomfort, however, is a very common experience of novice exercisers.—
Masha Remskar,
The Conversation,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
After a few tries, even beginners can pull cafe-quality espresso shots.—
Christopher Murray
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
29 Sep. 2025
-
The true beginner might want to start with Gaia’s Garden and then make their way here.—
Catherine Habgood
September 29,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
First introduced in The Clone Wars, Anakin Skywalker's Jedi apprentice finally made her live-action debut in season 2 of The Mandalorian, with Rosario Dawson assuming the role with cool confidence.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Sep. 2025
-
See more Adrian China, a 19-year-old electrician apprentice from New Jersey, agrees.—
Marquise Francis,
NBC news,
20 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Portal exits decimated the Tar Heels’ roster, and the 70 newcomers to fill those spots have struggled early on.—
David Ubben,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The participants range from Hayward classics to newcomers and hidden gems.—
Linda Zavoral,
Mercury News,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Two-way contracts, which pay half the NBA rookie minimum and do not count toward the salary cap or luxury tax, allow for players to be on their NBA team’s active list for as many as 50 regular-season games with other game action having to come in the G League.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
-
In the early window, golf will have to compete with Giants rookie Jaxson Dart’s first career start under center, a regional intrigue that’ll tee up CBS’s coverage of a Ravens-Chiefs banger in the national slot.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In all, Reeves said Hill-Murray started two freshmen and four sophomores on offense Friday and six sophomores on the defensive side of the ball.—
Frank Rajkowski,
Twin Cities,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Denielson Hernandez, a freshman majoring in automotive marketing from Pontiac, worked at the Infiniti exhibit, where a couple of vehicles were on display.—
Keenan Thompson,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tenderfoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenderfoot. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share