TENDERFOOT Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

tenderfoot

noun

ˈten-dər-ˌfu̇t

Definition of tenderfoot

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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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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tenderfoot

Noun

By July, morale among immigration officers had dipped below its nadir during the Biden Administration, with agents now complaining of being overextended, inundated with novice recruits, and undermined by inflammatory rhetoric from on high.

— Francisco Cantú, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
Thomas was a novice attorney who had already run and lost as the Republican candidate for state attorney general.

— Michael Kiefer, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of novice

Noun

Classes range from beginner-friendly lessons, like learning how to use a machine, to teaching intermediate skills, like hemming pants or installing a zipper.

— Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
Ski Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is one of the hardest mountains in North America, with only 10 percent of its terrain meant for beginners.

— Lindsay Cohn, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of beginner

Noun

When unnecessary costs accumulate, a small contractor may have less money available for raises, equipment, another apprentice or employee benefits.

— Christian Swann, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026
But Glennon’s glad-handing soon gives way to a much blunter critique when my Ear-Candling Tech’s apprentice steps in to say that my team has absolutely had it with me and my excuses.

— Julie Klausner, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of apprentice

Noun

Rachel Weatherington, who challenged political newcomer Geramie Parrish in the Place 4 race, was ahead with 70% of the vote with Parrish garnering 30%, according to unofficial, incomplete results from Tarrant County.

— Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026
Doral voters elected newcomer Peter Espinosa to the City Council on Tuesday, while incumbent Maureen Porras held a narrow lead of just eight votes in the race for Seat 2.

— Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of newcomer

Noun

Heat rookie Ryan Conwell was the first guard used off the bench on Monday after beginning the season out of the rotation.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
Judd Caulfield scored twice, rookie Roger McQueen added another and Leo Carlsson had three assists to help the Ducks win for the second time in nine games.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of rookie

Noun

Sophomore Lexi White had 10 kills, nine digs and two aces, while freshman Taryn Lambert added 12 kills, 13 digs and two solo blocks.

— Steve Gorches, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026
Georgia's Gigi Artiles is the only other outside hitters to be named the freshman of the week at least once.

— Zoe Collins Rath, Austin American Statesman, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of freshman

Browse Nearby Words

tenderfeet

tenderfoot

tenderhearted

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“Tenderfoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenderfoot. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of tenderfoot

noun

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