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
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This recipe is super easy to follow even for novice bakers.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
2 Nov. 2025
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Fast forward 55 years, and the event has grown into the world’s largest and most anticipated road race, drawing professionals and novices alike to push their limits — and test running shoe innovations along the way.—
Tonya Blazio-Licorish,
Footwear News,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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While starter credit cards still exist, beginner cards are becoming increasingly restrictive, and come with high trade-offs such as high interest rates and minimal rewards.—
Anna Kleiber,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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Situated just steps from the Virginia Beach coastline, Atlantic Park Surf offers beginner surfing lessons, private coaching and pro sessions.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Related Articles The fashion coffee table book‘s 406 pages take readers on a journey, starting at the time when Louis Vuitton left his hometown of Jura, France and ventured to Paris, becoming a trunk maker’s apprentice.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
31 Oct. 2025
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The Fire Cadet program, which is offered through the City of Milwaukee, is a two-year apprentice-style program for youth ages 17 to 19.—
Cathy Kozlowicz,
jsonline.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The original musical — with a book by Dan Elish and Robert Horn — followed a group of friends growing up in small-town Indiana through the eyes of a newcomer Evan Goldman, who moved there from New York City after his parents' divorce (and months before his Bar Mitzvah).—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
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Along with the original stars, the cast will also include series newcomers Ava Bunn, Jacob Dudman, David Gridley, Layla Mohammadi and Amanda Morrow.—
J. Kim Murphy,
Variety,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The former first round pick in the 2024 MLB draft had a masterful outing, finishing with 12 strikeouts, which broke Don Newcombe’s rookie record for the most in a World Series start, set in 1949.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
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Continue reading … ONE WIN AWAY – Blue Jays rookie makes history as Toronto pushes Dodgers to the brink with Game 5 victory.—
,
FOXNews.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But the true freshman looked poised and undaunted, able to pick up a trio of fourth-down conversions with his arm and more positive yards with his legs.—
Quentin Corpuel,
Kansas City Star,
31 Oct. 2025
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Sophomores David Punch, Micah Robinson, Malick Diallo, Jace Posey and RJ Jones and redshirt freshman Ashton Simmons all opted to return to Fort Worth, giving TCU a solid foundation to build around.—
Steven Johnson
October 31,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tenderfoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenderfoot. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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