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
-
Gear that is more accessible to novices, social media posts from beautiful locales and a false sense of security carrying a cellphone creates may all be playing a role here.—
Amanda Loudin,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
-
Beginners and families can warm up on the .25-mile Gold Bug Loop, while novice riders looking to improve their freeride skills can cruise down Tommyknocker (5.8 miles).—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
Wilton also offers a variety of beginner to advanced courses, along with plenty of easy decorating hacks on their social media.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 June 2025
-
There are benefits to the premium design here for beginners.—
Matt Morris,
Space.com,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
The main entry door features a custom graphic design element drawn from the archival Gordon Leaf mural pattern, which Wright commissioned his apprentice and secretary, Eugene Masselink, to create in 1956 for House Beautiful editor Elizabeth Gordon.—
Everett Potter,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
-
The inside of the entry door showcases the Gordon Leaf Mural Wright prepared by Wright's apprentice and secretary Eugene Masselink, a theme mirrored in other areas throughout the interior.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
7 June 2025
Noun
-
Conversely, this set-up will help the newcomers into Antwerp to understand their role in the value chain.—
Gemma A. Williams,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
Powered by twin 150 kW (200 hp) motors, the newcomer can traverse the seas near silently at a top speed of up to 12 knots and a cruising speed of 7 to 8 knots.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
9 June 2025
Noun
-
The initial plan is to have Teel and Quero split time in their rookie seasons.—
Phil Rogers,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
Before his rookie season was over, Pages was a World Series champion.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
Noun
-
With the air at its thickest and the nerves at their highest level, freshman relief pitcher Cambria Salmon walked in the first run and then threw a wild pitch for run number two, 2-0 Red Raiders.—
Allison Smith,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
-
But if a third game is required, the pressure will be on freshman Tate DeRias (2-3, 5.77).—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
5 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tenderfoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenderfoot. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share