tenderfeet

noun

variants also tenderfoots
plural of tenderfoot
as in novices
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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tenderfeet
  1. novices
  2. beginners
  3. newcomers
  4. freshmen
  5. apprentices
  6. rookies
Noun
  • To capture some of that essence, Guitar Center is trying to make its stores a place to hang out for novices and pros alike.
    — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The sizable number of offerings in every box can help bean novices get acquainted with new products and strengthen their bond with favorites.
    — Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of novices
Noun
  • Coach Mike Brown said the program welcomes beginners and experienced runners, with an emphasis on effort and improvement.
    — Donald Fountain, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The machine handles the setup steps that usually trip up beginners.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of beginners
Noun
  • In the second half, the Charlotte Hornets’ newcomers made their own big impact.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Privacy concerns The very same design elements that make Muse so appealing to AI newcomers are also raising privacy concerns.
    — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of newcomers
Noun
  • Like most true freshmen, Wayne saw sparse playing time at James Madison, appearing in eight games as a running back and seeing snaps on special teams.
    — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Georgia can count Lonon among the freshmen who are already playing winning football for the Bulldogs.
    — Connor Riley, AJC.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of freshmen
Noun
  • Built with the help of his apprentices, the complex was designed to blend into the surrounding Sonoran Desert, using local stone in a construction style known as desert masonry.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 2026
  • For carpenters, delays and poor weather conditions can disrupt the working hours apprentices need to complete their program, causing some to quit.
    — Itzel Franco, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of apprentices
Noun
  • That’s why Sieler also implored the rookies to not totally check out.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Here, a closer look at the beauty of rookies Kylie Jenner, Megan Thee Stallion and Tate McRae, as well as veteran angel Anok Yai.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of rookies
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

tendered
tenderfeet
tenderfoot
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tenderfeet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenderfeet. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of emissary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Oct. 23

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All