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
-
The Pitch & Putt is a short nine-hole course that’s well-suited for novice players.—
Erin Gifford,
Southern Living,
12 Oct. 2025
-
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,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Showcase the messy beginner stage, on social media, to your close circles of friends — not just the end product.—
Sinéad O'Sullivan,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
-
This form of exercise is suitable for all fitness levels, especially beginners.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The trailer shows Hemsworth’s Geralt assembling an army of adventurers to track down his former Witcher apprentice Ciri (Freya Allan).—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
7 Oct. 2025
-
He and his apprentices host glass- blowing classes on Fridays and Saturdays (reservation required), when guests can make anything from a bowl to a tumbler to an ornament.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
And jazz-pop newcomer Laufey has made her mark by blending timeless sounds with Gen Z realities, building a strong audience of fans of her work and admirers of her musical ability.—
Maura Johnston,
Rolling Stone,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Forward and newcomer Kurtis MacDermid remains on the roster.—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Biadasz came to the Commanders last year after spending his first four years with the Dallas Cowboys, so the veteran center and rookie quarterback had to get to work quickly in order to gel with each other.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
9 Oct. 2025
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The Heat rookie received 17% of the vote.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Rough Riders nearly had three 100 yard receivers on the night with Stewart, Derek Harris (10 catches-146 yards) and freshman Deon Duncan (8-96).—
Updated October 10,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The streamer then proceeded with the three freshman crime/thriller dramas, renewing the Bosch spinoff Ballard and canceling Countdown and Butterfly.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tenderfoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenderfoot. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
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