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
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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
-
For seasoned cooks and kitchen novices, cookbook author and nutritionist Robin Miller takes it back to basics with great, family-friendly recipes worth making over and over again.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Both novices and longboarders hold high regard for this surfing mecca on account of its enticing long breakers, which provide hours of great wave riding.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
And in Sun Valley, Idaho, learners practically have an entire mountain devoted to beginner runs while their more experienced friends and family rip over 2,500 skiable acres.—
Alison Fox,
Outside,
20 Jan. 2026
-
The terrain is mainly geared toward intermediate and advanced skiers, with 53 percent intermediate, 32 percent advanced, and 15 percent beginner runs.—
Abby Price,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Dawson's steely resolve helps anchor the series, with strong support from Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Ahsoka's reckless former apprentice Sabine and Mary Elizabeth Winstead as General Hera Syndulla.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Jan. 2026
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The video is being played to a room of nine apprentice footballers aged 16 and 17 at Leyton Orient, the League One side based in east London.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Several Icons work alongside newcomers, assisting with citizenship applications and teaching music and language classes that preserve their community's cultural heritage.—
Sharon Chin,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Morgan Stanley currently doesn't crack the top-10 list of ETF issuers, according to data compiled by Bloomberg Intelligence, and commands fewer assets in the space than newcomers such as Neos Investments, which got its start in 2022.—
Vildana Hajric Bloomberg,
Arkansas Online,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
LeBron James, who was not voted an All-Star starter for the first time since his rookie season, had 19 points, nine rebounds and eight assists for the Lakers (26-16), who played the second half without center Deandre Ayton after he was poked in the eye.—
Oc Register,
Oc Register,
21 Jan. 2026
-
The Pats need more from their rookie left tackle.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The Titans, who were coming off single-digit losses to UC Davis and UC Riverside on the road last week, went with a different starting lineup, inserting Davis White in at guard in place of fellow freshman Bryce Cofield.—
Dan Arritt,
Oc Register,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Robinson played in five games as a true freshman in 2023, rushing for 196 yards and two TDs.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tenderfoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenderfoot. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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