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
  • 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
  • Despite being an expert in her craft, Godshalk communicated the principles of floral design to her students in a way that was easy for novices to digest.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of novices
Noun
  • On ordinary days, the loop is a training ground for runners and cyclists, and an unusually forgiving place for beginners and families.
    — Rick Maese, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Generally, racehorses aren’t suitable for young children or beginners, and owners must have the space and wherewithal to feed and care for them, which can cost thousands of dollars a year.
    — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of beginners
Noun
  • In addition to familiar faces from Season 1, he’ll be joined by series newcomers Tommy Lee Jones and Betty Gilpin, who respectively play his estranged father and a public defender who enters his orbit.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Many newcomers moved to Florida during the pandemic, with some seeking the state’s less restrictive COVID-19 policies and many registering as Republicans.
    — Liv Coleman, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of newcomers
Noun
  • Other college freshmen might be outside soaking up the nice weather on this sunny September day.
    — Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The College of Literature, Science and the Arts is the largest at the public university, with about 3,500 freshmen enrolled yearly, just less than half of the total class.
    — Dan Simmons, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of freshmen
Noun
  • Experienced workers are needed not only to fill jobs, but to mentor apprentices, supervise jobsite learning, and teach the next generation.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Eligible watchmaking students and apprentices may apply from Switzerland, France, Belgium, Germany and, as of this edition, Sweden, Denmark and Finland.
    — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of apprentices
Noun
  • Edge Josh Uche relayed something similar, explaining that Rodriguez remains the unwavered through it all, a rarity among rookies.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
  • And his rookies, even the potentially franchise-altering kind, will wear embarrassing backpacks.
    — Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 3 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 7 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of discreet

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

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

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

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

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

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

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
name tags
Words Named After People Quiz Find out who’s behind "leotard," "morphine," an...
See All