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
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But former employees said the organization contributed hundreds of millions of dollars toward promoting novice teachers.—
Arthur Jones II,
ABC News,
6 May 2025
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Plus, its Smart Connect button and auto-protocol selection simplify the setup, even for VPN novices.—
StackCommerce Team,
PC Magazine,
5 May 2025
Noun
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Take full advantage of the tax code and set yourself up for success with these five small-business tax tips for beginners.—
Vlad Rusz,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
-
More than 30 coin dealers will have high quality coins for the beginner to advanced collectors.—
Joe Rassel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2025
Noun
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Photo: Getty Images Each winter, Wright and his apprentices would caravan from Spring Green to Scottsdale to continue their work in warmer weather.—
Katherine McLaughlin,
Architectural Digest,
8 May 2025
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On her journey, Gerda makes friends with people, birds, beasts, and a kind witch, unaware that a hostile, unseen enemy – the Snow Queen and her devil apprentice, Louie – is watching her.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
7 May 2025
Noun
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Created by Lion Shield, a three-man development team based in Oregon, this accessible strategy game combines resource management, urban planning and light-defense mechanics, offering a relaxing, yet engaging, experience that appeals to newcomers and fans of the genre.—
Jason Bennett,
Arkansas Online,
18 May 2025
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The movie, which is in French, is an incredible feat of casting, with an ensemble heavy on newcomers and unknowns (Finding Aubry Dullin, who plays Belmondo with the idiosyncratic appeal of the screen icon, is a particular miracle).—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
18 May 2025
Noun
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Gardiner fit in on the top line perfectly, putting together an excellent rookie season bested only in points by Sarah Fillier.—
Hailey Salvian,
New York Times,
17 May 2025
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In the kinetic new underdog sports drama from director Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), a retired Formula One racer (Brad Pitt) takes a young rookie prodigy (Damson Idris) under his wing for the Apex Grand Prix team (APXGP).—
Ben Rosenstock,
Time,
16 May 2025
Noun
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Bryce Underwood, the hyped freshman who’s vying for the top spot in Ann Arbor, could stand to have his coach alongside, especially if the Wolverines’ visit is selected to kick off under the lights.—
Mitch Sherman,
New York Times,
14 May 2025
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One of the best freshmen in Southern California, Ayala went 7-3 with a 0.82 ERA in helping the Cougars win 12 of their last 13 games.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tenderfoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenderfoot. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
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