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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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
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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
Noun
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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
Noun
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Through the conservancy, Morgan and Silk were introduced to the architect Lawrence Brink, an original Wright apprentice.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 July 2025
-
Born in the Bronx, Neuwirth served as a photography apprentice in New York City before opening his own studio and moving to Hollywood after a photo assignment in Puerto Rico ignited his passion for filmmaking.—
Mike Barnes,
HollywoodReporter,
9 July 2025
Noun
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This followed the biggest casting of them all, the three young leads, who will be played by newcomers McLaughlin, Alastair Stout (Ron Weasley) and Arabella Stanton (Hermione Granger) in the HBO franchise that is set to run for a decade.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
15 July 2025
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She will be joined by fellow Shrek franchise veterans Mike Myers (Shrek) and Eddie Murphy (Donkey), as well as a newcomer to the cast: Zendaya, who will voice Shrek and Fiona's daughter Felicia.—
Jen Juneau,
People.com,
15 July 2025
Noun
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Then, the rookie candidates turn around to see the veterans they're paired with standing behind them for the big reveal.—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
15 July 2025
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Bustamante’s previous experience in Madrid helped shape her approach heading into the rookie test.—
Jenn Nelson,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Noun
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Past deaths of Lakota Local Schools students On March 23, 2024, 14-year-old Laith Masri, a freshman at Lakota West High School, was killed in a crash at the intersection of Verity Parkway and Hughes Street, which also injured four other students that were involved.—
Gillian Stawiszynski,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
23 July 2025
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Baccarin also revealed on the pod that Sheriff Country — which was ordered to series more than a year ago but got held for the 2025-26 TV season — has a 20-episode order for its freshman run.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
22 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tenderfoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenderfoot. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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