1
as in inexperienced
being such only for recreation
an amateur cabinetmaker, he derives immense satisfaction from finely crafting his own furniture
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in amateurish
lacking or showing a lack of expert skill
in every room there were amateur watercolors, apparently the work of the innkeeper's wife
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in tinkerer
a person who regularly or occasionally engages in an activity as a pastime rather than as a profession
an amateur photographer who has won a number of photo contests
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in beginner
a person who lacks experience and competence in an art or science
a homemade doghouse that looked like it was built by an amateur who hadn't mastered basic carpentry
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of amateur
Jack Lang, New York Times, 21 June 2025
Fifteen or twenty naturalists, most of us amateurs, gather and split into several teams to search a set list of local fields and woods.
—Lewis Hyde, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025
Hitler—still two years from power—was dismissed as a dithering amateur, reliant on speeches, crowds, and parliamentary niceties.
—Thomas Meaney, New Yorker, 2 July 2025
The contest arrives as AI becomes an increasingly popular tool for musicians from amateurs to professionals — more than 60 million people used AI software to create music in 2024, according to the International Music Summit’s 2025 Business Report.
—Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for amateur
Noun
All of which means Boca Juniors must now beat amateurs Auckland City and hope Benfica lose to the German champions while turning round a seven-goal difference to reach the knockouts.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 21 June 2025
Fifteen or twenty naturalists, most of us amateurs, gather and split into several teams to search a set list of local fields and woods.
—Lewis Hyde, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025
Hitler—still two years from power—was dismissed as a dithering amateur, reliant on speeches, crowds, and parliamentary niceties.
—Thomas Meaney, New Yorker, 2 July 2025
The contest arrives as AI becomes an increasingly popular tool for musicians from amateurs to professionals — more than 60 million people used AI software to create music in 2024, according to the International Music Summit’s 2025 Business Report.
—Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for amateur
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amateur
Noun
-
The Cobbler shaker features three pieces and is the most common for home use and beginner bartenders.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
23 July 2025
-
Aloe vera is low-maintenance, making the houseplant an excellent option for beginner houseplant owners, who don’t have much time for excessive plant care.—
Michelle Mastro,
Architectural Digest,
23 July 2025
Adjective
-
Again, avocational people being kind of ahead of the archaeological profession.—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Feb. 2024
-
The avocational musicians rehearse three hours each Monday evening through the academic year, with two additional rehearsals during concert weeks.—
Beth Wood,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Sep. 2023
Noun
-
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,
25 July 2025
-
These tools power cybercrime, automating sophisticated attacks and enabling novices to deploy phishing, malware or social engineering campaigns with ease.—
Skip Sanzeri,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Adjective
-
Those seeking advanced degrees in nonprofessional areas, such as history or philosophy, will be subject to an annual borrowing cap of $20,500 and a lifetime limit of $100,000.—
Anne Marie D. Lee,
CBS News,
11 July 2025
-
Most of the nonprofessional adult actors Burnett paid with gratitude or with beer.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
14 June 2025
Noun
-
How many kids can one person chaperone at the Indiana State Fair?—
Katie Wiseman,
IndyStar,
24 July 2025
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Whether kids are seeing real stars like Bill Murray or Mckenna Grace, or just someone from a fan club, the effect is the same.—
Aaron Couch,
HollywoodReporter,
24 July 2025
Noun
-
Quinn’s role as Eddie Munson, a heavy metal enthusiast and leader of the Hellfire Club, on season four of Stranger Things marked his breakout role in Hollywood.—
Olivia Singh,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
-
The new ownership piloted the 2004 launch of the Pershing 50, which proved popular with speed enthusiasts who also wanted comfort and style.—
Julia Zaltzman,
Robb Report,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Amateur.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amateur. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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