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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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
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The current version of Kuang might be described as a tabula-rasa novice, a highly accomplished author who would prefer to be an eager disciple.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
18 Aug. 2025
-
The most pythons caught by a novice were 14 by Krista Hoekstra, while John Southworth led the military category with 5.—
NBC South Florida,
NBC news,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Great for beginners and experts, both Japanese and German engineering techniques combine to create a durable knife that will last a lifetime.—
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,
6 Aug. 2025
-
HelloFresh is best suited to beginner and intermediate cooks looking to up their skillset and creativity in the kitchen while adding new flavors, cooking methods, and recipes to their arsenal (without having to grocery shop or take a cooking class).—
Betty Gold Kider,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
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This makes the credentials apprentices gain through them portable and recognizable to employers across the country.—
Karen Herson,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
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Several apprentices went on to spectacular careers on their own.—
Henry Wiencek
July 22,
Literary Hub,
22 July 2025
Noun
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With a field comprised of select veterans and a swath of newcomers, the all-around is anyone’s game.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Joel Edgerton stars in the film alongside newcomers Everett Blunck, Kayo Martin and Kenny Rasmussen.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Alt, who is coming off an outstanding rookie season and was a left tackle at Notre Dame, was replaced by veteran Trey Pipkins III.—
Jay Paris,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Carroll, one of the game’s top entertainers, led the 2023 team to the pennant as a rookie and is having a fine season this year.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Storr played his freshman year at St. John’s and one season at Wisconsin before arriving at KU.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
18 Aug. 2025
-
Senior, 6’1, 220 Accolades: 3-star prospect and 3-year starter finished 2024 season with 133 tackles, including 13.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, INT, fumble recovery for Class 7A regional finalist Broncos; freshman year reached state semifinals; Sun Sentinel first team All-County, ESPN Top 63; also runs track.—
Gary Curreri,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tenderfoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenderfoot. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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