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
-
Applegate was no comedy novice prior to Anchorman.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Mar. 2026
-
For beginners, there are four miles of novice trails and three miles of paved trail.—
Taylor Haught,
Miami Herald,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Exumas are known as one of The Bahamas’ better fishing areas, with champion fisherman and beginners alike coming from far and wide in hopes of landing everything from silvery bonefish and snapper to wahoo and mahi-mahi.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Mar. 2026
-
However, not all edible plants are very beginner-friendly.—
Emily Hayes,
Martha Stewart,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
His background as a baker includes working as an apprentice and practicing in Corsica, Australia and San Diego before opening up his own place.—
Abby Hamblin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Danielle Martinelli, who danced for the company as an apprentice and later did choreography for it, remembered advice Cunningham would give.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Now, the ball belongs to Tate, with varsity newcomers in junior Jenna Manfre and freshman Savannah Jones in the mix to help out.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Leonardo DiCaprio is back in Oscar-ready form as a stoner former revolutionary who is left by his spirited love (Teyana Taylor) and struggles to save his daughter (fabulous newcomer Chase Infiniti) from a dastardly nemesis (Sean Penn).—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
After appearing in just two games of rookie ball in his first full season as a professional, Cason was sidelined due to a right elbow issue that eventually required Tommy John surgery.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Dollander experienced a rookie season that ranked somewhere between eating thumbtacks and rubbing a cheese grater on shins.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The alleged abuse began when Romain was 14 years old and thrilled to be the only freshman member of the school’s varsity water polo team, the suit states.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Policies requiring freshmen to live in dorms or banning children from campus can make going to college as a parent incredibly difficult and, at times, impossible.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tenderfoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenderfoot. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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