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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
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
-
Despite his impressive resume that spans two Group of Seven central banks and major investment firms, Carney is a political novice.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Probationary employees aren't necessarily novices, though.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
This bundle focuses primarily on Microsoft Excel, offering beginner, intermediate, and advanced courses.—
Gene Marks,
Forbes,
16 Mar. 2025
-
The Colorado Women’s Intro to Mountain Biking camp, led by women instructors and coaches, is designed for beginners with little or no mountain biking experience.—
Tykesha Spivey Burton,
Essence,
8 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
After college, Heil auditioned and was accepted into a two-year apprentice program at Ballet Austin in Texas, but when the program ended, he wasn’t hired.—
Marcia Luttrell,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Mar. 2025
-
The Tallahassee Ballet, a 50-year-old institution with a professional and youth apprentice program, offers a mix of classic and contemporary ballets during the year.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
If Florida beats Norfolk State, two-time defending national champion UConn could be waiting as a No. 8 seed — the Huskies (23-10) first must beat SEC newcomer Oklahoma (20-13).—
Edgar Thompson,
Orlando Sentinel,
19 Mar. 2025
-
Joining Sandler in the sequel are returning cast members Julie Bowen, Christopher McDonald and Ben Stiller, plus newcomers such as Bad Bunny, Travis Kelce and Sandler’s daughters Sadie and Sunny.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The two overlapped in Miami for one season in 2018 when Johnson was the Dolphins wide receivers coach and Smythe was a rookie.—
Sean Hammond,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2025
-
While the 6-foot-4, 291-pound Fiske was already expected to play a major role for the Rams as a starter during his rookie season, the 24-year-old emerged as one of the top rookies in the NFL, finishing third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.—
DJ Siddiqi,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
In 2016, Elizabeth was a freshman at Culleoka Unit School after being homeschooled for most of her life.—
Alex Gurley,
People.com,
15 Mar. 2025
-
As a freshman, Flagg has been the best player in the nation this season averaging 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tenderfoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenderfoot. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share